Red Bull heads to Monaco with no 'speed advantage' – Marko

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Helmut Marko says Monaco will not play to Red Bull's usual strengths, which means the current championship leader will likely have no real speed advantage against its rivals in the Principality.

After the first five rounds of this year's F1 world championship, Red Bull has already detached itself in the Constructors' standings while its drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez sit comfortably ahead in the Drivers' championship.

Red Bull's RB14 charger derives its performance from its aerodynamics that blend high downforce levels with brilliant efficiency and a powerful DRS. However, the car's mechanical grip linked to its clever suspension set-up is also one of the car's main assets.

But on Monaco's high-downforce tight and twisty layout that does not feature a long straight where the RB14's velocity typically prevails, Red Bull might be hard-pressed to clear its rivals and Ferrari in particular, reckons Marko.

"We can't play to our racing strengths in Monaco," Marko told Motorsport-Magazin.com.

"Whoever drives in front sets the pace. Tyre wear will not be decisive. There are no straights where our speed advantage comes into play.

"The biggest advantage is the quick tyre warm-up and I think that can be decisive on the qualifying lap."

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Marko says he'll be attentive at the outset next weekend to Ferrari's performance, especially as local hero Charles Leclerc seeks to break his streak of poor luck on home ground.

"What we have seen so far, Ferrari are sometimes faster than Red Bull in the slow corners," the Austrian added. "It will be exciting. Let's see."

Monaco has been singled out by Fernando Alonso as a venue where Aston Martin will have one of its best chances of snatching an outright win. And Marko isn't dismissing the Spaniard as a force to be reckoned with along the shores of the Mediterranean.

"Alonso is always good," said the Red Bull chief.

"The handicap of lacking top speed doesn't matter in Monte Carlo. And if they have a good weekend where they're immediately up front in qualifying, he's certainly a candidate."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.