Helmut Marko has tempered Red Bull fans’ expectations ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix, suggesting the Interlagos circuit may not suit their RB20 as Max Verstappen looks to regain ground in the driver’s championship. Verstappen’s challenging weekend in Mexico saw him hit with multiple penalties and finish in P6, losing valuable points to title rival Lando Norris. Despite a 47-point lead, Verstappen will be looking to reassert his dominance, though Marko warns that Brazil’s layout may limit their potential.
“It will certainly be very difficult,” Marko explained. “The circuit in Brazil has very slow corners, and that will also be a real problem for us.” He pointed to Qatar as a stronger venue for Red Bull, hinting they may have to wait until then for a better shot at victory.
While Verstappen managed to complete the race in Mexico, Red Bull’s other driver had a much shorter outing, colliding with another car on the first corner. This incident came on the heels of a disappointing race in Austin, where he spun and missed out on points, adding pressure to his bid for a potential Red Bull seat. “We thought he had stabilized,” Marko said. “But now, when the pressure comes from Lawson, it’s starting to make itself felt.”
These recent struggles place the Japanese driver in a tough spot as New Zealand’s Liam Lawson continues to impress, positioning himself as a potential contender for a Red Bull seat in the future.
As Red Bull heads to Brazil, the team will need to manage expectations, focusing on gathering as many points as possible. With only a brief break before another triple-header rounds out the season, engineers will have limited time to address the RB20’s struggles. Fans can expect Verstappen to push hard, but the Red Bull team may need to make the most of future circuits to secure the championship under challenging circumstances.
