Marko critical of Red Bull: 'McLaren can drive away a second a lap if they want'
18:30, 31 Aug 2025
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Nicole MulderManaging Editor
Nicole Mulder is Managing Editor at GPblog and a specialist in Formula 1 and MotoGP. With years of experience and permanent FIA accreditation at Grands Prix worldwide, she delivers reliable coverage and insights based on direct access to drivers and the F1 paddock.
Max Verstappen ensured that Red Bull Racing could still celebrate in Zandvoort. The Dutchman fought his way up to the podium on his own, but had to acknowledge the dominance of McLaren. Eventually, he benefited from Lando Norris's drop out and he took the second place, much to the delight of Helmut Marko.
Marko: ‘Red Bull still has a lot of work to do’
Marko tells the German branch of Sky Sports he is surprised by the result but also emphasizes that Red Bull has a lot of work to do.
"Our result is surprising and realized\ out of luck. McLaren was very far ahead, sometimes a second faster than us. We have a lot of work ahead of us", says the 82-year-old Austrian.
Red Bull opted for an aggressive strategy, with Verstappen starting on the softs among the leaders.
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At the start, it provided a spectacle: he battled with both McLarens, overtook Lando Norris and even put Oscar Piastri under pressure.
It briefly gave him second place, but McLaren's pace was simply too strong.
Nevertheless, Marko keeps hopeful, especially thanks to the impressive result of Isack Hadjar.
The young Frenchman surprised friend and foe with his first Formula 1 podium.
"Hadjar was very impressive, who under intense pressure drove his way to the podium. He deals with setbacks very quickly.
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"He is a very ambitious, honest, but especially a fast young driver", praises Marko the Racing Bulls driver.
The fact that Hadjar, in his debut year, is showing promise gives Red Bull extra confidence for the future. However, for now, the realization is that McLaren is clearly the team to beat.
As Marko puts it: "If they wanted, they could pull away by a second per lap."
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