Marko: "Ricciardo best driver in F1 at the moment"
- Published on 08 Jun 2016 14:04
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- By: Rob Veenstra
Daniel Ricciardo might be the best performing F1 driver at the moment, according to Dr Helmut Marko. The Australian driver was nothing short of livid after the Monaco grand prix, where a fouled-up pitstop by Red Bull cost him victory from pole position.
And just two weeks earlier in Barcelona, when his new teammate Max Verstappen won, Ricciardo claimed it would have been him at the top step of the podium if he had been put on the same winning strategy. "We cost him victory in Monaco," Marko, a leading Red Bull official, admitted to Auto Bild Motorsport.
Dr Marko said he understands Ricciardo's foul mood after Monaco, as the team had failed to deliver for him not only in the Principality but also in Barcelona. "He had the wrong strategy in Barcelona and in Monaco he deserved victory," said the Austrian. "Two times he had it torn from his hands. I have told him that at the moment he is driving at such a high level - maybe even the highest out of all the drivers - that victory for him is now only a matter of time," Marko added.
It is an interesting time for both Red Bull and Ricciardo, with the team enjoying a resurgence in form and Ricciardo constantly linked with a move to Ferrari. Marko said Renault's improving engine is helping Red Bull. "We already have the best chassis," he said, "which is a big plus."
Championship leader and Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg said he is expecting Red Bull to have another strong weekend in Canada, with the team having apparently sped ahead of Ferrari in recent weeks. "It's an awesome track and I'm sure our car will be great there too," said the German ahead of the weekend in Montreal. "It will be interesting to see where Red Bull are this time. We are hoping to get a little bit ahead of them again, so let's see." (GMM)
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Replies (6)
Login to replymcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Icing...
Wolfgang
Posts: 313
i think ricciardo belongs to the best four..
-> Vettel, Ricciardo, Rosberg, Hamilton..
I´m no longer convinced from Alonsos abilities, and thats it for now.
Sainz and Verstappen are going to come, but the level at the moment is not quite there..
mclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
Alonso still has it but with the car Mclaren have now nothing much can be done plus Alonso is slowly getting to that point were his motivation is no longer going to be as strong. He has even admitted he might not stay in F1 if the 2017 rules don't create exciting racing, Translation if Mclaren isn't any fun to drive and win he wants to move on from F1, this is Alonso we are talking about. if he was in that Merc winning all 21 races and boring us all to hell he would still be claiming F1 is very exciting for him XD
His and Button's time are really up, car wise, age wise and they just don't have time on their side to wait for a half a decent car.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I agree on the points on Alonso, but I disagree that their time is up. Both are incredibly good drivers still, so why should age be a problem? I think people are too focused on that number rather than their actual skill.
Wolfgang
Posts: 313
i always saw alonso a little bit quicker than button.. but in the last time it was button that convinced me more to be honest...
i think it´s been the same with Michael.. His time was gone as he was driving for merc.. Nico outclassed Michael at that time..
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I always considered them about equal on track, but always liked Button more, but Button was definitely more impressive last year. This year they are close to equal, though Alonso has more points.