{"id":94655,"date":"2025-05-12T06:22:08","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T06:22:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/94655\/"},"modified":"2025-05-12T06:22:08","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T06:22:08","slug":"red-bull-receive-big-imola-boost-as-marko-poses-burning-mclaren-question","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/94655\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Bull receive big Imola boost as Marko poses burning McLaren question"},"content":{"rendered":"

Red Bull Racing have had a challenging start to the F1 2025 season when compared to its previous dominance, but that could all be about to change.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko has noted that there are upgrades on the horizon for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.<\/p>\n

Helmut Marko pinpoints burning McLaren question amid Imola upgrades<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen may have had the one-lap pace to secure pole position at the Miami Grand Prix, but the RB21 still can\u2019t compete with McLaren when it comes to race pace.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been an issue plaguing the Red Bull Racing team all season long; its form started to slip midway through 2024, and the team wasn\u2019t able to make any significant headway coming into 2025.<\/p>\n

Making things more challenging is the fact that a revitalized regulatory set is in the works for 2026 \u2014 meaning that most teams are already in the process of building their new car in hopes of arriving at the season opener with a machine capable of winning races.<\/p>\n

The more time you spend tweaking your 2025 challenger, the less time you\u2019ll have to sort out your 2026 car. And for Red Bull, there\u2019s a big incentive to get out of the gate strong in 2026.<\/p>\n

Go deeper: Understanding Red Bull driver Max Verstappen<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc49\u00a0Jos Verstappen: The F1 racer turned ruthless mentor behind Max Verstappen\u2019s supreme F1 talent<\/a><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc49\u00a0Revealed: The three rules introduced by the FIA because of Max Verstappen<\/a><\/p>\n

But coming into the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, Helmut Marko has revealed to oe24<\/strong> that Red Bull Racing will be arriving with some tweaks that should \u2014 in theory, at least \u2014 improve the performance of the RB21.<\/p>\n

Upon being asked about the prospects for Imola, and what the team will do to improve, Marko replied, \u201cThat we will get new parts.\u201d<\/p>\n

But parts alone do not a competitive car make \u2014 and Marko was quick to point that out.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe question is whether this will bring us closer to McLaren,\u201d the former driver said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have an incredible car that is insanely strong in its complexity. Max\u2019s pole position [in Miami] \u2014 we have to be honest \u2014 only came about because both McLarens and [Kimi] Antonelli in the Mercedes made mistakes on the last attempt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marko again reiterated that Red Bull wasn\u2019t \u201cfast enough,\u201d but that \u201cthe McLaren can go at an incredible speed.\u201d<\/p>\n

The upgrades will be make-or-break for the team, though it currently isn\u2019t clear exactly what Red Bull will introduce. Drivers like Max Verstappen have been vocal about the RB21\u2019s struggles, with Verstappen saying that there isn\u2019t any one problem.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a combination of things,\u201d the champion told Autosport<\/strong> in April, \u201cand the issues are also a little bit different again at every track.\u201d<\/p>\n

If the Imola upgrades aren\u2019t the slam dunk the team is hoping for, Red Bull can also look forward to the Spanish Grand Prix, when the FIA will begin clamping down on the flexi-wings that have enabled McLaren to carve out such an advantage over the competition.<\/p>\n

Read next:\u00a0Max Verstappen obstacle emerges in next plan after secret Ferrari GT3 test exposed<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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