Dr Helmut Marko has said the Las Vegas GP was “not that great”, a claim that will certainly please F1 and Liberty Media on the eve of the media day at the US street circuit.
If Max Verstappen can simply maintain his lead over Lando Norris this weekend, he will win his fourth consecutive World Drivers’ Championship title with two Grands Prix remaining.
"Things aren’t looking too bad for us," says Marko, Red Bull team advisor.
“Our car was fast in the dry in Brazil, although Max was in a class of his own in the rain.”
“If we win the title again this year, it will be mainly thanks to Max. With his exceptional driving skills, he masked the phases where the car was really not good.”
Asked if Red Bull would have any “world champion” t-shirts in reserve just in case, the 81-year-old smiled: “Knowing him, Max’s manager will definitely have them in his luggage.”
“I would gladly accept the added hustle and bustle of Las Vegas for that.”
The new Las Vegas Grand Prix, uniquely promoted by Formula 1 itself, takes place on the iconic “Strip”. But last year, some believed the event prioritized spectacle over sport, a loose pipe cover raised circuit safety concerns, ticket prices were enormous and local businesses lamented the disruption.
Marko agrees: “It’s not that great.”
“This crazy city, the slot machines you have to pass to get through the hotel lobby, the night race. Last year we were lucky the race was great, but the event in his ensemble did not live up to the high expectations.”
“The event also does not have much support from the local population. As almost all access is closed off, long detours have to be made everywhere. Due to poor air connections, we also have to arrive on a later day early.”
The former driver admits this year’s longest F1 season in history, at 24 races, is starting to take its toll on health.
"We can say that," Marko said. “That triple program of races at the end is particularly crazy.”
