Red Bull have created a ‘difficult, prima donna’ car, says Helmut Marko

Marko believes it is Ferrari who have designed the best car after the opening two rounds of the 2022 Formula 1 season

Harry Latham-Coyle
Wednesday 30 March 2022 09:37 BST
Comments
Red Bull’s RB18 has caused both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez trouble in the opening weeks of the 2022 season
Red Bull’s RB18 has caused both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez trouble in the opening weeks of the 2022 season (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Long-time Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has described the team’s car for the 2022 Formula 1 season as a “prima donna”, and believes that rivals Ferrari have the more complete design.

Max Verstappen claimed his first victory as defending F1 world champion at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, but both the Dutchman and Sergio Perez failed to finish the Bahrain Grand Prix that kicked off the new season.

An offseason overhaul of aerodynamic regulations forced manufacturers to make significant design tweaks, with Mercedes so far struggling for straight-line speed and Red Bull enduring some difficulties.

That has led a resurgent Ferrari to set the early-season pace, claiming a one-two at the Sakhir circuit and then following it up by filling out the podium behind Verstappen in Jeddah.

Marko, the head of driver development at Red Bull, agrees that the Italians have the more stable performing car - but thinks that the RB18 has the top-end potential for success if Verstappen and Perez can keep it under control.

“The advantage of Ferrari is they are fast straight away with every tyre and at every temperature,” Marko told Servus TV, according to Motorsport-total.com.

“That shows the car is more good-natured. We have perhaps the more difficult car – a prima donna. But if you can get it right, the potential is there.”

Verstappen snatched his maiden F1 crown from Lewis Hamilton with a last-lap overtake at a contentious season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December.

Hamilton has been joined by a new teammate in fellow British driver George Russell for 2022, but particular problems with ‘porpoising’ mean Mercedes are yet to challenge for race victory and have been off the pace in qualifying.

Marko has refused to write the German outfit, who have won the last eight Constructors’ Championships, off, and believes that they will improve, but thinks the early-season pecking order is set.

“Ferrari are ahead. Honda – or rather Red Bull Powertrains – are second. And Mercedes, unusually, only third,” Marko outlined.

“Ferrari have an advantage especially in electrical power and that’s where we hope Honda will follow suit.

“Chassis-wise, Mercedes have the most ‘bounce’. You can see that in the braking zone, how [Lewis] Hamilton’s head wobbles back and forth.

“But I also think it’s a question of time. If they can get rid of that, they can go to fine-tuning.”

The season continues in Melbourne, with race day at the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday 10 April.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in