Marko predicts dream weekend: 'Setup is optimal, it's time for a pole'

Looking back at the recently completed third free practice session at the French Grand Prix, Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko sees an opportunity for Max Verstappen to take pole position. Not only is he satisfied with the pace and his drivers, Marko also confirms that the RB16B has found the optimum set-up for this circuit.

"We are very satisfied, the car is now optimally set up," the Austrian began in conversation with Servus TV. During the third free practice session, Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen were at the top of their game, at a circuit normally dominated by Mercedes.

Marko also outlines the tyre strategy for qualifying and confirms hopes of a pole position for the Dutchman. Marko: "We hope to drive on the medium in qualifying. Because the performance on the soft in the long run is not that good. In addition, Mercedes has what it has seen from the top speed not driven at full power. That was maybe three or four tenths. But we are optimistic about qualifying. It will be time for us to get another pole."

Perez of interest

Despite the rosy outlook, Dr Marko also knows that finding and maintaining the optimum tyre temperature at this circuit may be the hardest part. In light of this, the team boss again sees an important role for Sergio Perez: "Now have Perez in the immediate vicinity of Max. So we are also better positioned in terms of strategy than we were earlier. Perez is having a harder time, but  I assume he will go in the same direction as Max. I hope maybe for top three."