Helmut Marko is candid about Ferrari’s upgrades and Red Bull’s difficulties

Ferrari ahead of everyone at Imola, Helmut Marko didn’t expect it

Friday’s free practice of the Imola GP ended in the sign of Ferrari and Charles Leclerc, who were the fastest in both sessions. Good tests also by McLaren and Mercedes. More difficulties than expected, however, for Red Bull, which paid almost half a second in the Qualifying simulation and almost a second of disadvantage per lap in the race simulation compared to the Monegasque driver. On the extraordinary competitiveness demonstrated by Ferrari and the problems had by the Austrian team, Helmut Marko expressed himself bluntly during an interview with "Sky Sport Deutschland".

"It è not been a good start to the weekend for us. We found difficulties in grip with both soft and medium tyres. Even in the long runs we were slower by a second than Leclerc. I did not expect a Ferrari so competitive here. I have to admit that the updates they brought have impressed me" began the Austrian manager.

"We had a few too many problems, but we are not worried. We are talking about specific areas of the track. If we can put everything together I think we will be at least two tenths ahead of everyone" added Helmut Marko.