Whereas Toto Wolff initially referred to the lacklustre W13 considerably affectionately as a ‘diva’, he later switched to the phrase ‘sh*tbox’. Related phrases are actually utilized by Helmut Marko, who says Purple Bull Racing’s RB20 has change into a ‘bitch’.
Marko: ‘The RB20 has change into a bitch that solely Max can tame’
Purple Bull began the 2024 Formulation 1 season strongly, however Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez started to battle an increasing number of with the RB20 because the season progressed. Not solely have groups like McLaren and Mercedes moved nearer by means of enhancements of their very own, Purple Bull’s updates to date haven’t introduced the hoped-for enhancements.
Marko does put the group’s efficiency dip into perspective considerably. “We’re higher than our final outcomes recommend. With out the dangerous pit cease at Spielberg, the collision with Lewis Hamilton in Hungary and the grid penalty at Spa, Max could be in higher form,” the 81-year-old Austrian stated in a dialog with Auto, Motor und Sport.
“Originally of the season, we had a automotive that was as balanced because the McLaren is now. It might deal with all circuits and all situations. Then we went down a fallacious street someplace. The automotive grew to become a bitch that solely Max can tame,” reads Marko’s harsh verdict. “The automotive grew to become an increasing number of unpredictable. It grew to become tougher and tougher to tune it and get the steadiness proper.”
Marko warns: ‘Highs got here from Verstappen’s superiority’
Of the previous 4 races, Purple Bull didn’t win a single one. Nonetheless, Verstappen often managed to get one thing additional out of the F1 automotive, for instance with pole occasions in Austria and Belgium. “These have been distinctive qualifying laps from Max. Within the race, the prevalence was gone. Like Mercedes at the start of the yr, generally we’re quick and generally gradual, relying on the situations. Generally it even adjustments in the identical race like in Silverstone, the place it rained in between,” Marko continued.
The Purple Bull advisor suspects that when the group has taken the leak – in accordance with the German medium, a brand new improvement programme is deliberate from Monza onwards – Perez’s efficiency can even enhance once more. This is able to have been a consideration within the determination to stay with the Mexican. “If the automotive is extra predictable once more, he can even discover his velocity once more,” Marko assured.
This text has been written in collaboration with Matt Gretton
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