Verstappen is the 'mentally toughest' following Norris's crash - Marko

      "There will be something else in Imola"

      Lando Norris risks losing his lead in the championship following his crash in Q3 during the Saudi Arabian race. Meanwhile, reigning champion Max Verstappen has secured pole position again, highlighting his importance to the currently struggling Red Bull team amidst persistent speculation about his departure at the end of 2025.

      "What we can always rely on is Max," remarked team advisor Dr. Helmut Marko, who contrasted Verstappen's composure with Norris's increasing anxiety. "I believe Max is not only the fastest driver, but also the mentally strongest. Clearly, a setback like Norris’s today impacts his confidence," Marko continued. "We must capitalize on that."

      Norris, starting from P10, immediately called himself a "f***ing idiot" over the radio and later reaffirmed to reporters, "I stand by that statement." He remarked, "Overtaking is quite challenging here, so I don’t have high expectations. If you're in the lead, it’s relatively straightforward."

      Sebastian Vettel, who is present in Saudi Arabia this week, defended Norris amidst concerns about his mental strength. "Don’t we all experience highs and lows, whether in Formula 1 or other professions?" remarked the retired four-time world champion.

      Regarding Red Bull's improvements in Jeddah, it is attributed to both the track layout and some upgrades made to the problematic 2025 car. "We made minor advancements here and hope for similar outcomes in Miami," Marko stated. "Then there will be further developments in Imola. It’s not a single large upgrade, but rather incremental progress."

      Verstappen, on the other hand, associates McLaren’s rise to power in F1 with former Red Bull designer Rob Marshall's transition to Woking last year, noting that Marshall excels in clever wing flexibility. "Yes, I believe he makes a significant difference there," Verstappen said regarding Marshall and wing flexing. "You could see the effects immediately after he joined."

      The 27-year-old expressed satisfaction that Red Bull is beginning to make headway following a challenging start to the season. "At least now we understand what’s happening," Verstappen commented. "Last year, it wasn’t until Monza that we figured out where to look. It’s clearer now, which gives us hope for upgrades that genuinely enhance the car’s balance."