Red Bull's Dr. Marko Predicts McLaren as Red Bull's Toughest F1 Rival for 2024
Oct.10 - Dr Helmut Marko has named McLaren as perhaps the biggest challenger to Red Bull's current dominance of Formula 1 for 2024.
His prediction comes after McLaren's major resurgence this season following a less impressive start to 2023, with Oscar Piastri winning the sprint race at Qatar from pole and his teammate Lando Norris the next-best challenger.
"They are our most regular pursuers now and they are still gaining momentum," Red Bull team advisor Marko told Kronen Zeitung newspaper.
Even McLaren team boss Andrea Stella is not rejecting Marko's forecast.
"It was a very positive weekend for us," he told the Austrian broadcaster ORF. "We are the second fastest car and that is really good for the future.
"I'm happy that we can contribute to the spectacle of making Formula 1 more exciting."
Marko said that despite Max Verstappen's utter dominance this year, the team had to keep its eye on McLaren throughout the Qatar weekend.
"We set our pace according to McLaren," he revealed.
"This is noteworthy and it's scary that it happens on every circuit now. It could possibly be a tough battle with them next year.
"The others couldn't keep up with McLaren and us," Marko added, referring chiefly to Red Bull's fellow top teams Mercedes and Ferrari.
Corriere dello Sport newspaper in Italy, meanwhile, said Verstappen standing alongside Australian rookie Piastri and Norris on Sunday was "the podium of the future".
Ferrari's Frederic Vasseur, however, isn't so sure.
"I would say that McLaren is now the second fastest team," he admitted, "but Qatar and Suzuka have common characteristics, with a succession of fast corners.
"We were probably better than McLaren in Monza and Singapore. So let's wait and see for the next races, starting with Austin. That circuit has a mix of everything, so we can understand where we really are."
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Maybe, but estimations about specific 2024 pecking order are premature until at least pre-season testing.
The interesting thing in all of this McL resurgence talk is that the Zak bashing has disappeared. Long live papaya.
Damn and ill eat the humble pie , i wasnt a fan of Zak Burger but i have to say, hats off to them and well done
"Corriere dello Sport newspaper in Italy, meanwhile, said Verstappen standing alongside Australian rookie Piastri and Norris on Sunday was "the podium of the future"."
Absolutely correct. It takes us back to the days when Senna, Prost, Lauda, Mansell, Berger, Piquet, et al, were racing against each other providing great entertainment and championships went down to the wire before the boring days of single domination commenced with Michael Schumacher.
The future of competition in F1 is looking on the bright side. Hats off to Adrian Newey for his brilliant car design, but the others are taking a long time to catch up. The resurgence of McLaren is a very welcome occurrence. At last someone who can challenge Red Bull. And the McLaren drivers are up for it!
big caveat , Rb are way ahead in terms of 24 car development , once they knew the 23 was a rocket , i bet Neweys pencils were on fire
Far from reality & no way of knowing anyone, not to mention all teams always start development for the following season early (generally in April-May or even sooner) & as the technical rules stay entirely stable, everything done this season will be wholly useful.
you think in March or April they start designing the 24 car, hats off to Merc and Mcl if thats the case ....
That's the general reality everyone generally knows if they've paid enough attention to certain matters over the years.