Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari. 02.07.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 10, Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg, Austria, Race Day.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko says the side is aware of the threat Charles Leclerc and Ferrari could pose to its unbeaten run at this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.
The Austrian outfit has dominated proceedings across the board in 2023, winning all 14 rounds to be on course to become the first team to go an entire Formula 1 campaign undefeated.
Having negotiated Monza – the only circuit McLaren was beaten at in 1988 – Marko admits that triumphing in every round is now a legitimate target for Red Bull.
“First of all our goal is to secure the World Championships,” Marko told Autosport.
“But let’s say if we win in Singapore, then the chance is there that we can win all the races. Of course, it is becoming a goal now.
“In the beginning of the season, it was not realistic to win all the races and it has never happened before.
“McLaren was stopped here [in 1988], so the press constructed a story that the curse would hit us as well, but we didn’t let it hit us.”
Both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have admitted they expect the Singapore GP to be the toughest remaining test for its RB19 car.
While Marko expects Red Bull to go strong again, the Austrian is concerned that Ferrari, and particularly Leclerc, could provide competition in qualifying.
With overtaking notoriously more difficult at the Marina Bay Circuit, Marko asserts that Ferrari securing grid position – as they did in Monza – would prove problematic.
Leclerc has previously been on pole position twice in Singapore, including last year’s event. However, on both occasions, the Monegasque driver was beaten to victory.
“Like every race, we have had a competitive car everywhere so why should that not be the case in Singapore?” Marko continued.
“But I have to say Ferrari and especially Leclerc is a specialist around there. If they are faster in qualifying, then it could become a problem for us because overtaking in Singapore is very difficult.
“But I’m still optimistic that the package we are bringing to Singapore is good enough to win.”
Meanwhile, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner added that the chance to achieve a unique feat continues to be a driving force for the entire side.
“I think for the whole team, everything that we’re doing at the moment, we’re making history,” he acknowledged.
“It’s not often you get the chance to do that.”
When asked whether Red Bull can be usurped over the remainder of this season, Horner added: “There are so many elements, whether it’s reliability, whether it’s luck, whether it’s strategy, whether it’s a pitstop, whether it’s pace. Weather – there are so many elements.
“You’ve got to stay on top of your game, and I think that’s what, for me, that’s the most remarkable achievement this year so far is that we haven’t dropped the ball.
“We’ve managed to keep operating at an incredibly high level, and that’s something that’s not been seen before.”
Keyword: Red Bull wary of Leclerc and Ferrari in Singapore GP – Marko