Verstappen's epic win prompts Marko to thank higher power

17:26, 18 May

byNorberto Mujica

Max Verstappen's win at Imola, overpowering both McLarens driven by Oscar Piasti and Lando Norris, has made Red Bull chief advisor thank God for the highly positive result in Imola.

Red Bull brought upgrades to the Italian track, and Marko sees that the winds and tides of the championship may be turning in Red Bull's favour.

"We were simply faster today. We were at least as good [as McLaren] in terms of tyre wear," said the Austrian to ORF.

Marko sees upgrades working wonderfully at Imola

He was most impressed by the final laps after the Safety Car triggered by Andrea Kimi Antonelli's DNF where Verstappen and the Red Bull car could stretch their legs at leisure.

"Then [Max] pulled away a second or more per lap. So it's working [the upgrades], and it's the first time in more or less a year that he's had a car that's balanced enough to do what he wants," says Marko. "

"And then, thank God, you see a result like that," Marko concluded.

The gap from Piastri, championship leader, to Verstappen, is now of 22 points, less than a race win.