Red Bull took their fourth victory in five races this season at the Chinese Grand Prix last weekend. Max Verstappen was the man on top once again, finishing nearly 14 seconds clear of the field.
The margin of victory for Verstappen was especially imperious when you consider that there were two safety cars midway through the race. Without them, he could easily have doubled it.
Red Bull have issued an ominous response since the Dutchman retired from the Australian Grand Prix last month. They took a one-two finish at the following race in Japan and scored another double podium in Shanghai.
Their advantage over nearest challenger Ferrari in the championship now stands at 44 points. After 21 wins from 22 races last year, they’re chasing further records this time around.
Their rivals know catching them will be a long-term process. Ferrari are plotting a ‘massive’ upgrade in Imola next month that they hope will bring them closer, but Damon Hill thinks McLaren may get there first.
In the short term, competitors must maximise opportunities when they arise. Carlos Sainz did exactly that with his victory in Australia, and another driver took his chance in China.
Helmut Marko stunned by one driver who beat Ferrari at Chinese Grand Prix
Writing in his post-race column for Speedweek, Red Bull director Helmut Marko expressed surprise at the performance of Lando Norris. Norris was able to beat Sergio Perez and split the two Red Bulls on the podium.
The Englishman took advantage of the mid-race safety cars to leapfrog the Mexican and was then able to hold him off. On a weekend where McLaren expected to struggle, he was one of the standout performers.
Marko says that Red Bull were more focused on Ferrari coming into the weekend. But as it turned out, Norris was the biggest threat.
“In China we were amazed that this time Lando Norris was the second force with McLaren,” he said. “We expected Ferrari to be stronger. But neither in the long runs nor in qualifying nor in the races were they able to get close to the top three.”
Will Lando Norris join Red Bull?
Marko’s praise is particularly significant when you consider the recent links between Norris and Red Bull. Will Buxton believes the world champions will target either the Briton or teammate Oscar Piastri if they lose Verstappen.
The Austrian publicly said before the race in China that he would love to see Norris in Red Bull colours. And he told the 24-year-old’s dad that they could provide him with the tools to secure his first win.
The Bulls’ interest should come as no surprise. The F1 paddock regard Norris as one of the five elite drivers in the sport alongside Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
The problem that suitors face is that Norris signed a new long-term deal with McLaren in the winter. While that doesn’t necessarily preclude a move, it could make it enormously expensive.
Some might argue that he extended his contract too early. With Hamilton joining Ferrari, there’s an unexpected vacancy at Mercedes, and Perez is still fighting for his Red Bull future.
Clearly, though, Norris has faith in McLaren to deliver him a title-winning car eventually. And that faith is looking increasingly justified with each race that passes.
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