Red Bull Facing Uphill Battle in Monaco Grand Prix with ‘Favourite’ Emerging
Red Bull’s hopes were dampened in Monaco as a clear favorite emerged during the practice sessions. Team advisor Helmut Marko expressed concerns about the team’s performance, particularly Max Verstappen’s struggles with understeer and shedding lap time. Despite a strong start in Friday’s opening practice, Verstappen slipped to 10th place by the end of the day, lagging over seven-tenths behind the pace-setter, Charles Leclerc.
Marko admitted to pushing the RB21 setup too far, resulting in understeer issues for Verstappen. He emphasized the need to find a compromise to address the problem and improve performance. With Ferrari looking formidable, especially with Leclerc behind the wheel, Marko hinted at the Italian team being the favorites for the Monaco Grand Prix.
While Marko remains optimistic about Red Bull’s chances against McLaren, he acknowledged the need for significant improvements to compete at the front. Former F1 driver Nick Heidfeld also backed Leclerc and Ferrari for pole position, citing their strong performance during practice.
As the Monaco Grand Prix unfolds, all eyes are on Red Bull’s ability to bounce back from their setbacks and challenge the emerging favorite for victory. The stage is set for a thrilling race weekend filled with uncertainties and intense competition on the iconic streets of Monte Carlo.
