Red Bull: Helmut Marko already gives it all away

A performance so opaque as to generate words of surrender.

Max Verstappen leading the world, Red Bull no more. That was one of the effects of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, won by Oscar Piastri in Baku with Lando Norris fourth, the Dutchman fifth and his teammate Sergio Perez withdrawn for an accident with Carlos Sainz as the two battled for the podium. A largely negative day, then, as Helmut Marko himself pointed out.

Indeed, the Baku results entail overtaking at the top of the Formula 1 constructors’ standings. Leading the way is in fact McLaren, for the first time since Melbourne 2014. They are even 20 points ahead of a Red Bull that, on the contrary, had not looked at the team ranking from the top step for 55 races.

The overtaking, moreover, seems anything but accidental, so much so that according to Helmut Marko è it is even all over. This is evidenced by his answer, given in Baku to journalists who asked him that the constructors’ championship is now lost to McLaren. "If I have to be honest, sì"” the Red Bull's highly listened to adviser commented.

Verstappen, who over the course of 2024 has won seven Grand Prix so far, has not been on the top step of the podium for as many races. His last success remains dated June 23 and dates back to the Spanish Grand Prix. Since then, moreover, he è stepped on the podium on only two occasions, while victories have gone to the likes of George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc and – indeed – Oscar Piastri.