Although Max Verstappen took his seventh victory of the season by winning the Spanish Grand Prix, it was a team effort that enabled Red Bull to see off the threat from Lando Norris.
The McLaren driver admitted that he got a bad start that put him on the back foot for the rest of the race, but Red Bull’s undercut pit strategy put pressure on the team to bring Norris in later than expected.
This proved to be crucial in the outcome of the race and losing valuable time for Norris, who took the chequered flag just 2.2 seconds from Verstappen.
Whereas the Red Bull managed to change all four tyres in just 1.9 seconds for Verstappen, the first stop for Norris lasted 2.4 seconds. The second pit stop also proved to be pivotal, as Norris was stationary for 3.6 seconds while Verstappen’s only lasted 2.8 seconds.
McLaren’s race execution simply did not match Red Bull’s, which is why advisor Helmut Marko has praised two key members of the backroom staff in his latest Speedweek column.
Helmut Marko praises two key Red Bull staff
Red Bull has showcased that it is the benchmark when it comes to F1 race strategy throughout the season, notably during the Chinese Grand Prix when they completed two double-stack pit stops for Verstappen and Sergio Perez to secure a one-two victory.
Marko singled out the two individuals whose job it is to look after these aspects of the team and praised them for making a difference during the race.
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“The tyre changes also went very well; I can’t remember the last time we messed up a pit stop. Praise goes to sporting director Jonathan Wheatley and his motivated crew of mechanics,” said Marko.
“They are a well-coordinated and well-trained team. Hannah Schmitz also deserves praise; she always makes clear decisions.”
Wheatley is Red Bull’s pit stop guru and was rumoured to be harbouring ambitions of becoming a team principal in F1, amid speculation that he could make the switch to a rival team.
Schmitz has been with the team for over 10 years and is regarded as being one of the most successful female figures in F1 having played a key role in their 2021, 2022, and 2023 titles.
Red Bull tops fastest pit stop list
Red Bull has shown it is the benchmark in F1 pit stops so far this season, with seven out of the top 10 pit stops belonging to Red Bull. They matched their personal best of 1.9 seconds at the Chinese Grand Prix in Spain.
McLaren currently sits in fourth place having had fewer pit stops in the top ten, behind Ferrari and Mercedes who are second and third fastest.
In 2023 McLaren was the third quickest out of all the teams while Red Bull was on top. Former F1 strategist Bernie Collins believes this is a key area of consistency where McLaren is losing out to Red Bull in the races.
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