Marko Amused by McLaren's 'Attack Verstappen' Order

Max Verstappen's dominance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix was so absolute that Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko found McLaren's instruction for Lando Norris to 'attack Max' utterly laughable. Verstappen's immediate response of clocking fastest laps quickly extinguished any hope of a challenge, reaffirming his unassailable position.

Why it matters:

• Verstappen's performance in Las Vegas wasn't just a victory; it was a powerful statement of his and Red Bull's overwhelming superiority.
• The incident highlights the psychological warfare in F1, where even a radio message can be used to gauge a rival's confidence and react accordingly.
• For McLaren, the 'attack' call, though ultimately futile, shows their ambition and belief in Norris, even against the sport's current titan.

The Details:

• Verstappen took the lead at Turn 1, forcing Norris wide, and maintained control throughout the race.
• After pit stops, Norris picked up pace, prompting McLaren to radio: "We're going to get Max."
• Verstappen's Response: Upon hearing the message, Verstappen immediately unleashed a string of fastest laps, showcasing his raw speed and control.
• Marko's Amusement: Helmut Marko openly expressed his amusement, stating Verstappen won with "such confidence and ease" and that the Red Bull team had "no problems at all."
• Norris's Struggles: Marko noted that Norris struggled towards the end, becoming "two or three seconds slower," further highlighting the gap.
• Race Control: "He won the first corner and practically forced Norris into the mistake," Marko explained, describing the race as an "unbelievable Max Verstappen show."

Commentary:

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and others often comment on Verstappen's exceptional ability to manage tires while maintaining blistering pace, and this race was a prime example. The confidence displayed by Red Bull, particularly Marko's almost dismissive tone regarding McLaren's challenge, speaks volumes about their current state of dominance.

What's next:

• Verstappen's Las Vegas performance reinforces his status as the undisputed leader in F1, setting a high bar for the upcoming seasons.
• Teams like McLaren will need to find significant performance gains not just in raw speed but also in race management and tire degradation to genuinely challenge the Red Bull ace.
• The incident serves as a reminder that even in seemingly dominant periods, the psychological aspect of racing, including radio communications, remains a critical element.