Red Bull Racing will be looking ahead to the Monaco Grand Prix already after taking a closely-fought victory at Imola through Max Verstappen.
The Dutchman was pushed all the way to the chequered flag by Lando Norris who showed that the upgrade McLaren brought to Miami wasn’t just a one-off.
Red Bull chief Helmut Marko was speaking to De Telegraaf after the race and previewing the next race in Monaco.
The race in the principality is unique on the calendar and not just for the glamour surrounding the event.
There are several street circuits in Formula 1 these days, but Monaco is by far the hardest to overtake and even the smallest error is normally enough to find the barriers and end a driver’s race.
Marko has snubbed Max Verstappen’s closest rival Lando Norris and believes that Charles Leclerc is the driver Red Bull have to look out for in Monaco.
The 26-year-old will be returning to his home race and despite looking very quick around the track, he typically has terrible luck in Monte Carlo.
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Helmut Marko worried about Charles Leclerc during the Monaco Grand Prix
Qualifying is by far the most important session during the Monaco Grand Prix due to the difficulty drivers face when trying to overtake.
Fans witnessed one of the most exciting Saturday sessions in years last season when Verstappen stole pole position in the final moments.
Fernando Alonso thought he was on pole position, while Alpine’s Esteban Ocon also put in a stunning performance.
However, Verstappen took pole by less than a tenth, with Leclerc putting in the third-fastest time in Q3.
However, the Monegasque driver picked up a penalty and Verstappen, Alonso and Ocon eventually ended up on the podium.
It highlighted just how important nailing that one lap is to succeed in Monaco and Marko thinks Leclerc is the man to watch.
Ferrari delivered a set of upgrades in Imola but they didn’t have the impact many expected as they appeared to be the third-fastest car on the grid.
However, Leclerc – who Martin Brundle has previously suggested is the best qualifier on the grid – will want to deliver a victory for the home fans on Sunday.
Charles Leclerc looking to end Monaco Grand Prix hoodoo
Speaking about the upcoming race, Marko said: “We must certainly take up the challenge with McLaren.
“And now we go to Monaco and there it’s almost all about qualifying.
“I think that will be the most difficult race for us so far, also because of the bumps and curbs there.
“I also expect a lot from Ferrari and especially from Charles Leclerc.”
Marko will be hoping for Red Bull’s sake that Leclerc’s previous bad luck at Monaco continues in 2024.
The 26-year-old has been very consistent this season and has four podiums to his career tally of 34 this season.
Although he’s currently the closest driver to Verstappen in the Drivers’ Championship, he’s had to watch Carlos Sainz win Ferrari’s only race this season.
Leclerc would love to change that stat sooner rather than later and the streets of Monaco would be the perfect location to do so.
He faces a very tough challenge toppling Max Verstappen at the front of the pack but it may only take one clean lap to put himself in the driving seat to return to the top step of the podium.
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