Helmut Marko believes Ferrari will be Red Bull's main challenger in Monaco

Helmut Marko believes Ferrari will be Red Bull’s main challenger in Monaco. Red Bull has many concerns for Monaco.

The F1 journey continues after the Imola weekend in Italy, with the next stop being the unique Monaco: in the Principality, predictions indicate Ferrari and McLaren will still be in the fight, with a more struggling Red Bull, at least according to Helmut Marko.

The Austrian consultant is convinced of this. The Milton Keynes car will not feel at ease among the narrow streets of Monte Carlo, where slow corners and curbs dominate the scene on a unique track in the Formula 1 championship calendar.

Red Bull fears the Principality: the key threat
Breathing a sigh of relief after the last laps in Imola, spent with growing alarm of Lando Norris right behind Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko turns his gaze to the next appointment. Monte Carlo is just around the corner, and the 81-year-old Austrian prepares for the worst: “It will probably be one of the most difficult tracks for us also because of the curbs.”

Then the prediction. In a truly unique weekend, similar results to those in Imola are expected, with reduced gaps and Red Bull no longer dominant. Marko Marko agrees: “We know there will certainly be a fight in Monaco.”

Helmut Marko’s prediction: Ferrari ahead in Monaco
But which team will be the most challenging for Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez? According to Helmut Marko, the favorites will be the red cars from Maranello. Satisfied with the work on the new updates on a not easy track given the characteristics of the Imola racing circuit, the men in red will try to capitalize on the good behavior of the SF-24 in slow corners and curbs. The surprising thing is not so much Marko’s prediction, but the reason for it.

That the Prancing Horse could rise in the Principality is not surprising, but Marko’s consideration is curious. “I think the Ferrari cars will be stronger than the McLarens because it’s all about qualifying. Everything is decided in qualifying in Monaco.”

Yet the 2024 Ferrari F1 car has shown its major weakness in the single lap pace. Unable to repeatedly realize its potential in qualifying, the SF-24 single-seater has instead more often shown its potential in terms of race pace, as frequently stated by the drivers themselves. Despite this, the Red Bull consultant’s prediction aligns with most expectations: the red cars go to the Principality with the goal of bringing home the most important trophy.