Disgruntled Helmut Marko makes Red Bull demand after Mexico practice

Helmut Marko has insisted Red Bull needs to improve its long-run pace at the Mexican GP - despite topping FP2 with Max Verstappen.

Verstappen posted the fastest lap in the qualifying simulation segment of FP2, but after switching to the medium tyres for long-run work, Red Bull found itself well behind McLaren's pace.

Tyre management has been a strength of the MCL39, as the veteran Austrian demanded to see an improvement moving into Saturday in Mexico City.

"Over a single lap, we are fast and competitive, but the long run was not great, and especially on the mediums, we are clearly behind McLaren," Marko explained to SkyDe.

"On the soft tyres we are getting a little closer, but even there, we are not quite there yet. So there is still a lot of work to do.

"It has nothing to do with the temperature. It's a question of balance and grip." 

Marko also turned his attention to championship leader Oscar Piastri, who finished 12th, nearly 0.8s behind Verstappen's pace.

"He was clearly behind Norris. It looks like he has problems at the moment," Marko observed.

"But it's only Friday, maybe they can fix that. But first, let's see if we can solve our own problems, and then we'll look at the competition.