Marko doesn't worry about Monaco Grand Prix: 'We have the Max factor'

Monaco is an odd duck on the F1 calendar. Whereas it usually revolves around the Grand Prix on Sunday, Saturday is by far the most important here. Overtaking on the street circuit is impossible with the current generation of F1 cars, so qualifying is usually decisive for the final result a day later. Red Bull Racing's team is therefore aware of when to shine.

A year ago, Max Verstappen managed to capture the pole in stunning fashion and in the absolute closing seconds. "It will be even more exciting than last year," says Helmut Marko, Red Bull Racing's external advisor, who sees Ferrari's Charles Leclerc as Verstappen's biggest challenger. "Whoever puts his car on pole will almost certainly be the winner of the race a day later," according to the Austrian.

"Unless the safety car enters the track at a stupid moment, the race is usually already over. You can be three to four seconds faster per lap, but you still cannot overtake. Besides, the track has remained the same, but Formula 1 cars have become bigger and heavier. That doesn't encourage overtaking either," Marko is critical.

With the competition getting closer and closer, Marko is hoping for his main trump card for next weekend: "Fortunately, we can count on the Max factor in Monte Carlo as well," he says with satisfaction in his column at Speedweek.