Marko identifies two key factors helping Verstappen and Red Bull

Helmut Marko has identified two key factors behind Red Bull's improved top speed in 2022, a development that has helped them to battle against Ferrari.

In previous years, one of the main strengths of the Milton Keynes squad's car was its performance in the twisty, technical sectors of the circuits.

However, the RB18 has shown equally competitive straight-line speed during the current campaign, with only the Scuderia able to match this level.

Marko explains reasons behind improvement

Marko has credited the design skills of Adrian Newey with contributing to the improvement, as well as the impact of the Honda engine.

"The car concept comes from Newey, who created a car that produces a lot of downforce with low drag. That's one thing," Marko told Motorsport-total.com.

"The other [factor] is that Honda have developed further, and the switch to E10 fuel has hardly cost any performance. It's the combination of both."

Marko pleased to see Red Bull fastest on straights

This change to the car's performance on the straights is something that Marko is enjoying watching.

"Now it's just a completely different approach," the Red Bull advisor said.

"In previous years, we were usually the slowest on the straights. Now we are the fastest. That is nice.

"And in the corners we don't lose much of what we gain on the straights."

Red Bull currently have a 97-point lead over Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship, while Max Verstappen tops the World Championship standings by 80 points from nearest rival Charles Leclerc.