Helmut Marko: Red Bull Can Fight for Italian GP Win, But McLaren is the Key

Red Bull Racing special advisor Helmut Marko believes the team can fight for victory at the Italian Grand Prix, but only if McLaren “doesn’t show up with something extra” in qualifying. This assessment follows a strong Friday practice session for Red Bull.

Why it matters

The Italian Grand Prix is a crucial race, with McLaren and Ferrari widely considered favorites. Red Bull's potential challenge, as suggested by Marko, adds an unexpected dynamic to the weekend, especially after a period of McLaren's dominance in the F1 2025 season.

The big picture

Most eyes are on McLaren, which has shown strong form, and Ferrari, always a favorite at its home track. Red Bull's performance in Monza could indicate a shift in the competitive landscape, particularly given their struggles at this circuit in previous years.

The details

• Marko's Verdict: After Free Practice 2, Marko stated, "We hope to fight with some others, I would say, for the win." He clarified this by adding, "If McLaren doesn’t show up with something extra tomorrow."
• Improved Performance: Marko attributes Red Bull's improved showing at Monza compared to 2024 to "lessons" learned, "some updates," and a "different philosophy" in car setup.
• Long-run Pace: The team shows promise in long-run pace, with Marko noting, "we only need more traction on the soft tyre, but that, I think, we can achieve without changing the wing position."
• Practice Results:
  • FP1: Max Verstappen was P4, Yuki Tsunoda P14.
  • FP2: Max Verstappen P6, Yuki Tsunoda P9.
• Rivals: Marko acknowledges Ferrari's usual strong Friday pace at Monza but dismisses Williams' consistency. He views McLaren as the primary threat.

What's next

Red Bull will focus on optimizing soft tyre traction for qualifying. The outcome of Saturday's qualifying session will be critical in determining if Marko's condition holds and if Red Bull can truly challenge McLaren and Ferrari for the top spot.