Marko warns Mercedes: more dominance coming!

Helmut Marko has suggested that Max Verstappen's triumph in the Styrian Grand Prix was perhaps just an appetizer for what could be an even more dominant display in next week's round of racing at the Red Bull Ring.

Verstappen was in a league of his own in F1's first round of racing in Austria on Sunday, the Dutchman lapping all but four drivers in the 71-lap race and beating championship rival Lewis Hamilton to the checkered flag by a massive 35 seconds.

Next week, teams will give it another go at the same venue, but the changing factor will involve a softer selection of tyre compounds supplied by Pirelli.

And Red Bull's motorsport boss believes the softer rubber will enhance even more the qualities of the Milton Keynes team's RB16B.

"It was very emotional," Marko told Servus TV after collecting the Constructors' trophy on the podium. "To achieve such a clear victory here in Styria was pleasing.

"Of course we wanted the 25 points, and they came. We didn't get the 26, but the lead is very nice.

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"Next week? The track and cars will remain the same, only the tyres will differ. I assume these will suit us even more given the wear and tear.
"When Hamilton pitted we calculated that we could continue with these tyres for another 10 laps.

"We didn't want to risk anything with a safety car. I assume that with the softer tyres we can show the same dominance, or maybe be even more dominant."

After Sunday's eighth round, Verstappen leads Hamilton in the Drivers' standings by 18 points while Red Bull has extended its advantage over Mercedes in the Constructors' championship to 40 points.

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