F1 Miami GP: “We are in a good position,” Helmut Marko unbothered by Mercedes’ surprise domination in FP1

Helmut Marko explains why the Mercedes duo topped the opening free practice session in Miami.

F1 Miami GP: “We are in a good position,” Helmut Marko unbothered by Mercedes’ surprise domination in FP1

Helmut Marko. Image via Mediotiempo.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko is not threatened by Mercedes 1-2 in the first practice session of the Miami Grand Prix. Initially, it looked like Max Verstappen would top the opening session, but a crash by Nico Hulkenberg was a plot twist. George Russell topped the timesheet, followed by his teammate Lewis Hamilton. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished third. 

Only toward the end of the session did the Mercedes pair set the time on the soft tire. George Russell clocked 1m 30.125s. Verstappen was four-tenths behind the Mercedes driver. However, it was only a practice session. Red Bull and their team consultant Helmut Marko are confident with their package. They are not concerned about Mercedes at all. Marko explained why the Mercedes drivers ended up P1 and P2 in the free practice session.

YouTube video

Helmut Marko told the German branch of Sky Sports, “The job evolution was huge. Every time you went outside, you were half a second faster.” The 80-year-old believes the track evolution helped Mercedes end the practice session on a high note. Therefore, Red Bull need not panic. It was the perfect timing for the Mercedes duo with their new soft tire. 

FS Video

Related: Emerson Fittipaldi believes ‘Max Verstappen is starting to get worried’ as Sergio Perez inches closer to World Championship

Helmut Marko says Red Bull’s long runs were fine

Max Verstappen. Image via News 18.
Max Verstappen. Image via News 18.

The Austrian added, “Moreover, they had turned on the engines. I think we are in a good position here again. The few long runs we did were fine.” According to Marko, Red Bull champion Verstappen finished fourth only because they were busy with the long runs when Mercedes clocked their time on the soft tires. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez finished outside the top ten in the eleventh place. 

Though the signs looked promising for Mercedes after the first practice session, their times were set in the best track conditions. There was nothing more to it. In the second session, things were back to how they used to be in the first four rounds. Red Bull topped the timesheet. Max Verstappen set an impressive lap time of 1:27.930.

It was a good day for Red Bull once they got used to the new tarmac. Verstappen stated that he had a good balance in the car and was satisfied with the second practice session. Red Bull are not done yet. Though they are dominating, they want to be faster in every corner. After last weekend in Baku with limited practice sessions, this traditional format is a luxury for the drivers and the teams.

In case you missed it: