Marko also expects a two-stop strategy: "Incredibly fast degradation"

ec6748ac84ba469fc819a7dbb96fc1d4539c52c3

12:15, 23 Oct 2021

byGPblog.com

Friday's United States Grand Prix was a tumultuous day for Red Bull Racing. During FP1 Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen had little grip. In FP2 this was partly solved. Helmut Marko predicts a tough Sunday in spite of this.

Tough Friday for Red Bull

It was Perez who set the fastest time in FP2. That gives renewed hope to the Austrian team fighting with Mercedes for the constructors' title. The longruns also looked good in the afternoon.

Speaking to Auto Motor und Sport Team Advisor Marko further explained: "It's difficult to find the right set-up for our car. In the morning we had no grip, especially in the slow corners. Then we adjusted the set-up, and those measures worked."

Tyre wear plays a crucial role

As expected at the Circuit of the Americas, tyre wear will play a major role. Marko therefore expects a two-stop battle on Sunday. "The medium and the soft compound wear out incredibly quickly," said Marko.

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	51
2	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	47
3	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	34
4	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	33
5	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	17
6	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	15
7	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	9
8	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	8
9	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	8
10	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	4
11	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	4
12	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	3
13	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	2
14	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	2
15	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	1
16	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	0
17	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	0
18	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	0
19	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
20	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0
21	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	0
22	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0

Marko also expects a two-stop strategy: "Incredibly fast degradation"

byGPblog.com

Tough Friday for Red Bull

Tyre wear plays a crucial role

Verstappen tests Hamilton's brakes during FP2

'I hope Mercedes will explain it to us in detail'

F1 Today | Audi forced to find permanent team principal, Mercedes and Haas unveil Japanese GP liveries

Marko reveals Adrian Newey 'not doing well' amid Aston Martin Honda woes

'Monster Energy and Yamaha split after decade-long partnership'

Toto Wolff blasted for ‘total self-promotion’ after maiden Antonelli victory

Why Red Bull are set to suffer 'disadvantage' over April F1 break

Leclerc’s Mercedes fears confirmed despite Ferrari upgrades ‘in the pipeline’

Audi forced to restart their search for a new team principal as Binotto turns the role down

Honda still looking for cause of Aston Martin vibration issues ahead of Japanese GP

F1 Today | Audi forced to find permanent team principal, Mercedes and Haas unveil Japanese GP liveries

Marko reveals Adrian Newey 'not doing well' amid Aston Martin Honda woes

'Monster Energy and Yamaha split after decade-long partnership'

Toto Wolff blasted for ‘total self-promotion’ after maiden Antonelli victory

Popular on GPBlog

Russell warned Mercedes future not guaranteed as Antonelli pressure grows

Marko makes bold Red Bull claim after nightmare start to 2026 season

Audi forced to restart their search for a new team principal as Binotto turns the role down

Mercedes unveil special wolf-inspired livery for the Japanese Grand Prix

Season

Verstappen tests Hamilton's brakes during FP2

'I hope Mercedes will explain it to us in detail'