Helmut Marko knew after the first free practice that Red Bull Racing needed to change tack. They did, and the changes to the RB19's setup worked out well. The 80-year-old Austrian consultant is not yet completely satisfied but is at least happy that his team knows which way to go for the rest of the weekend.
"The first practice was the simulator set-up, which caused euphoria on Wednesday, but did not prove itself in reality," Marko is quoted by Motorsport-Magazin.com. Red Bull Racing's recovery a few hours later provided a relieved Marko.
Marko satisfied with progression
Max Verstappen was in fact the fastest of everyone on softs, the qualifying tyre for Saturday. The difference with the Ferrari's was not great, but the gap had been reversed in FP2. "Now we are in the right direction. [It's] Not ideal, but it looks good."
Red Bull will work hard over the coming night to see where there is still progress to be made. Marko is hinting that he is confident some time will be found. However, the question is also how much the competition will find performance in the next 24 hours.