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Max Verstappen

Helmut Marko reveals staggering scale of Red Bull problem

Max Verstappen finished fourth at the Miami Grand Prix, with the size of McLaren's advantage having been revealed by Helmut Marko.

Verstappen Norris Miami
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Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has revealed the size of the team's staggering deficit to McLaren in Miami, following a crushing defeat in the Miami Grand Prix. 

Despite Max Verstappen starting on pole position, McLaren secured a comfortable one-two at the Miami International Autodrome, led by championship leader Oscar Piastri. 

The reigning world champion put up a strong defence, but was helpless against the strength of the MCL39.

Verstappen also fell behind Mercedes' George Russell, hurting the Dutchman's position in the drivers' title. Whilst he is still in third, the 27-year-old has slipped to 32 points adrift of Piastri.

According to Marko, Red Bull were seven-tenths to one-second slower than McLaren every lap.

No team managed to get close to McLaren's pace during the race, with Verstappen having finished a remarkable 40 seconds behind Piastri. 

The Woking-based team appear to be beatable in qualifying over one lap; however, it is a different story in terms of race pace.

"Max showed his magic over one lap," Marko told Sky DE. "But in the race we saw that on average we were seven-tenths to a second behind the McLarens, who were both going full out. 

"Lando Norris had a bad start and steamed up, then we saw the real speed.

Marko continued: "McLaren was just superior. They are stronger on the straights and their tyre wear is also less. As I said, when you're seven-tenths to a second behind, that's a big difference."

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