Marko delivers brutal conclusion for Red Bull after Verstappen's P4 finish in Miami

08:34, 05 May

Updated: 11:14, 05 May

byToby Nixon

According to Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, it was disheartening to witness just how fast McLaren was during the Miami Grand Prix. Although Max Verstappen started from pole position, it quickly became clear that Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris had significantly more pace than the reigning world champion. Marko drew a harsh conclusion after the race, acknowledging the painful reality of Red Bull's current performance gap.

After the race finished, Marko was asked for a reaction by Motorsport.com, and the Austrian didn't mince his words. "The main conclusion is we are too slow, We saw when they were driving flat out, we are seven-tenths of a second behind. We saw the real speed for the first time.

"We have to find some performance straight away, but it was depressing how quick the McLarens really are."

Marko comments on the 'depressing' true speed of McLaren in Miami

After the pit stops, Piastri and Norris simply pulled away from Russell, Verstappen, and the rest of the field. The two McLarens were by far the fastest on the grid and took a commanding one-two finish.

After a valiant effort from Verstappen defensively in the early stages, he was unable to keep the pacey papaya cars at bay. The Dutchman was then also passed by Mercedes driver George Russell as a VSC meant that the Brit could emerge from the pitlane in front of the Red Bull to secure third place.

Finally, the Austrian touched on the updates for Red Bull Racing that are coming in Imola, where the next Grand Prix is scheduled. Will the planned upgrade work? “It has to [work], but such a big step is difficult to catch up."