One circuit still a main concern for Red Bull after overcoming Hungary

Sam Cooper 25 Jul 2023 9:45 AM

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen with his hand to his head, speaking with Helmut Marko and Christian Horner. Baku April 2023

Helmut Marko was pleased to come through Hungary unscathed after initial concerns it could be a track Red Bull struggled at – yet another tough circuit does remain.

Red Bull notched a record-breaking 12th consecutive win in Budapest as Max Verstappen won his ninth race of the season.

Despite missing out on pole, it was another dominant victory for the Dutchman with Verstappen easing past Lewis Hamilton into Turn 1 and then building what would go on to be a 33-second lead over P2 Lando Norris.

Track data concerned Red Bull

But while Verstappen and Red Bull’s victory looked like a walk in the park, it came as more of a relief for senior advisor Marko who was concerned the Hungaroring would not suit the characteristics of the RB19.

“We had concerns about Hungary and Singapore,” Marko told Servus TV. “According to the calculations, they are the most difficult tracks for us.

“So such a confident victory is a relief. It was also the 250th podium for us or something like that. With each victory, we reach heights that we could not have even dreamed of.”

Those concerns proved unfounded as while the RB19 was marginally down in qualifying, Verstappen was gushing in his praise of the race car.

“The car felt really good and the balance was right with the increase in temperature,” he said.

“We had the struggle over one lap all weekend in qualifying, but I think that means it was the right call for the race.

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“If I had a choice between the two, I would pick my race performance every time but we will always make changes and keep trying to improve the car. I think people forget a little bit that to win 12 races in a row is extremely hard but I hope it doesn’t stop there.

“我们必须继续前进,我总是试图challenge myself. I had a lot of fun out there today and I was just smiling in the car, it was one of those days where everything just goes perfect.”

Verstappen has a chance to make some history of his own in the next few races as wins at the Belgian and his home grand prix would see him equal Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine conservative Formula 1 victories.