RED BULL FEAR MAX VERSTAPPEN STREAK WILL END AT MIAMI GP AS CONCERN RAISED

Helmut Marko thinks Max Verstappen may struggle to extend his streak of pole positions at the Miami Grand Prix.

The Dutchman has gone fastest in every Grand Prix qualifying session in 2024 to date. He missed out on pole for the Sprint in Shanghai last weekend but still cut through from fourth to win the short-form race at a canter.

Verstappen also boasts four Grand Prix wins from five and would likely have made it a clean sweep had he not failed to finish in Melbourne due to a mechanical failure. His constant success has Red Bull adviser Marko convinced that the team, once again, have a car that dominates at most venues, if not all of them.

In his Speedweek column, the Austrian wrote: "Five GP weekends, five different race tracks, five pole positions for Max Verstappen, four victories. At this point, we can reasonably say that we have a car that is fast on any type of track.

"We have to point out that the tyre wear in Melbourne was unusually high for Red Bull conditions. When it comes to [Sergio] Perez's car, we don't know exactly whether the damage to his car contributed to this. But the findings from the long runs also indicate that there is too much wear.

"So that means: Fast, yes, but the road surface and route can make differences." And Marko thinks that could affect Verstappen's chances when it comes to qualifying in Miami next time out.

He continued: "Racetracks where the opponents could get a little closer to us are Miami or Monaco, especially since the competition has gotten closer, especially in the qualifying trim. I can imagine that it won't be easy to be in pole position there."

Marko is not overly concerned, though, and still backs Verstappen to take victory at the end of the weekend's action. He wrote: "Formula 1 will next move to Florida. I expect that we will also be competitive in Miami. But the conditions are completely different again, warm and humid.

"We see how sensitive the tyres are to changes in conditions. We will fight for victory, but then it will also play a big role who of the pursuers has the best day, and that will continue to vary depending on the route."

Red Bull are 40 points ahead of nearest challenger Ferrari in the constructors' standings and 99 clear of McLaren in third. Verstappen has a 25-point cushion over team-mate Perez in the drivers' championship and is the overwhelming favourite to secure his fourth-straight title this year.

2024-04-24T12:39:19Z dg43tfdfdgfd