Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko confessed that the team's grip on both of F1's world championships is "under threat" after McLaren and Lando Norris delivered a stunning and dominant performance in Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix.
And yet, Norris endured once again a sluggish launch off the line when the light went off at Zandvoort, which allowed Verstappen to take control of proceedings on the run down to the first corner.
However, after a calm and composed settling-in period, the McLaren driver diligently reeled in his Red Bull rival, recouping what he believed was rightfully his on lap 18 and never looking back thereafter.
Norris’ dominant display left the Briton with a comfortable 22-second advantage at the checkered flag, the most significant margin seen this season.
The win highlighted the challenges Red Bull now faces in its quest to secure the world championship, having conceded in Holland 12 more points to its McLaren rival.
Marko admitted that Red Bull had not anticipated such a strong display by team papaya.
“If you look at his fastest lap – from Lando – in his very last lap without DRS, [he did a] 1:13.8,” Marko said, quoted by Motorsport.com.
“So, as Max said before the summer break, the team has to work harder and must find improvements because like that his championship is in threat.”
Marko added that he felt that Red Bull is now vulnerable in both the Constructors and Drovers’ championships.
The Austrian admitted that he was confident of the bulls prevailing when Verstappen seized the lead at the start.
However, McLaren’s strength – helped in part by the Dutchman's higher downforce set-up that critically penalized the RB20’s top speed – simply baffled the Red Bull camp.
“We believed if he wins the start, we can win the race,” Marko said.
“But what was strange, Piastri was nearly the same speed as Lando and once he got behind Leclerc, it was over.
“But when Max was caught by Lando he just passed on and went away, so I don’t know what’s the difference and why.
“But, the main thing was our tyre wear was much worse than the McLaren and there was nothing [to be done].
“Also on the set-up, maybe we put more wing on Max, which Checo did have less wing and in the second stint I think Checo was faster than Max. So, maybe that was the wrong decision.”
Looking ahead, Marko stressed the importance of continuous development to enhance the RB20’s competitiveness.
“There are a lot of ideas and different ways,” he explained. “But because of the summer break we couldn’t do anything – but we have to do something.
“It goes together. We must understand the car better, that there is more balance because with more balance it’s more confidence for the driver and less tyre wear.
“But the updates have to bring an improvement – not only theoretically, also time-wise.
“We also had some upgrades [at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July]. But timewise it didn’t show the same result as they showed on the simulations.”
With the season now in its final stretch, Red Bull faces the daunting task of defending its lead against a charging McLaren.
Marko’s comments reflect the pressing need for the team to adapt and respond quickly if they hope to maintain their hold on both championships.
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