Red Bull ignore McLaren amid new threat to Max Verstappen in Monaco

23 May 2024 , 09:59

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Lando Norris hopes to challenge Max Verstappen again in Monaco (Image: Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Helmut Marko is predicting Ferrari will be the chief rivals to Red Bull at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Red Bull, for so long used to having things their own way, have been put under pressure in recent weeks. Lando Norris won in Miami earlier this month and finished within a second of Max Verstappen at Imola on Sunday.

Those upgraded McLaren cars have proved they can take the fight to Red Bull on track. But still the defending F1 champions' long-serving team adviser Marko thinks the Scuderia are likely to be the ones turning up the heat in the Principality.

As reported by Motorsport.com, the Austrian said: "I think the Ferrari will be more of a challenge in Monte Carlo than McLaren, because it's all about qualifying. We have to take on this challenge, definitely."

As Marko said, qualifying will be crucial this weekend as it always is when the F1 circus touches down in Monaco. Thirteen of the last 20 pole-sitters have gone on to win on the tight streets of Monte Carlo.

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McLaren ran Verstappen closest during qualifying at Imola, both Norris and Oscar Piastri putting in fastest laps within one tenth of a second as the Dutchman's pole effort. But Ferrari were also in the mix and Charles Leclerc in particular is regarded as one of the best qualifiers on the grid.

Regardless, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner disagrees with Marko and believes McLaren will continue to be a thorn in his team's side. He said: "I think you have got to say McLaren. They have a very fast car at the moment.

"Piastri looked quick at certain moments, Lando was very quick at the end of the race there. But Ferrari are in the noise with them as well so that is another four cars we are up against, which is great for you guys [the media]!

"The race is won on Saturday, fundamentally, so having one-lap performance and having a very strong front-end is going to be very important." And Horner expects McLaren to continue to threaten Red Bull in the coming weeks and months thanks to their impressive development.

He added: "Over the last couple of races they have been the main competitor and they have definitely added performance to their car. The philosophy is very similar to that of our own. We expect them to be competitive at all circuits."

Daniel Moxon