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Marko is certain: Verstappen can now win anywhere amid Sprint pole

02:01, 18 Oct

Updated: 02:53, 18 Oct

byTim Kraaij

Pole position for the Sprint in Austin confirms that Red Bull Racing can once again contend for the victory everywhere according to Helmut Marko, especially with Max Verstappen behind the wheel.

"It shows that we have made a big step forward, and Max is maximising that use."

- Helmut Marko to GPblog

Immediately after sprint qualifying in the United States, Marko spoke to GPblog. Asked about Verstappen's pole lap, the Austrian said: "Super. In Sector 3, he took the pole. Turn 1, he went sideways, but was even so quicker. Even so, he was sliding a bit too much, I guess. But unbelievable lap in Sector 3."

Asked whether Verstappen can still surprise him, Marko added: "No. We've already said it's up to him, and he delivers."

With the sprint pole in hand, Red Bull once again showed that the balance of the car is much better than before. Being on pace as soon as the race weekend begins didn't happen often in the middle of this season. However, the RB21 has undergone a significant transformation.

"Since Zandvoort, we are always fighting for P1 and P2, so the direction is good. Unfortunately, the turnaround came a little bit late."

Verstappen benefits from Red Bull's progress

For Red Bull, it's the fourth event in a row that they deliver a superb result over a single lap. Since the updates were introduced, Verstappen won in Monza and Baku, after which he finished second in Singapore in front of the two McLarens. When asked if the pole for the sprint race in Austin shows that the RB21 can now contend for pole everywereh, Marko smiled: "Definitely."

He continued: "All this medium speed, the temperature, and all this stories, they don't count anymore. We are there. If in one corner, it's going within thousands of a second. It's not like it was before, half a second or so in some sector.

"It shows that our car made a big step forward, and Max, of course, is using it to the maximum," the Red Bull advisor concluded.

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Marko is certain: pole proves that Verstappen can now win everywhere - Photo: GPblog

The Dutchman took pole position for the sprint race in Texas just ahead of Lando Norris, who was less than a tenth slower. Oscar Piastri finished three tenths behind Verstappen, setting the third fastest time.

The first turn will be decisive for the course of the sprint race. In the past, the man starting second has been able to take advantage of the incredibly wide first turn on multiple occasions, where an overtaking manoeuvre is certainly possible. This time, it will be up to the four-time world champion to close the door with a good start.

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