Jonas Leo
Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko reportedly found significant amusement in McLaren’s directive to Lando Norris, urging him to "attack Max Verstappen" during the recent Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix. The incident, which unfolded during the latter stages of the race, underscored Verstappen’s commanding performance and offered a moment of levity for the often-stoic Red Bull veteran.
The inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, held on the glittering streets of the Nevada desert, was a race of fluctuating fortunes and strategic intrigue. McLaren’s Lando Norris, starting from pole position, had initially shown promising pace, signaling a strong challenge to the dominant Red Bull. However, the race start proved pivotal. Three-time world champion Max Verstappen, lining up second on the grid, launched an immediate assault on Norris into Turn 1. Exhibiting his characteristic aggression and precision, Verstappen successfully outmaneuvered the McLaren driver, who went wide while defending the inside line with perhaps too much zeal, ceding the lead early in the race.
The chaotic opening lap also saw Mercedes’ George Russell capitalize on the situation, overtaking Norris to briefly run in second place. Russell then applied sustained pressure on Verstappen for several laps, hinting at a potential three-way battle for the lead. However, Verstappen, known for his ability to manage races from the front, withstood the early challenge from the Mercedes driver. Russell was the first of the frontrunners to make a scheduled pit stop on lap 17, switching to a fresh set of tyres in an attempt to undercut his rivals.
Norris followed suit, pitting on lap 22, while Verstappen extended his first stint, showcasing Red Bull’s superior tyre management and confidence in their race strategy. The Dutchman eventually pitted on the 25th tour for his new set of tyres. Despite the pit stop sequence, the top three positions remained unchanged, with Verstappen retaining a comfortable lead, followed by Norris and Russell. The unique conditions of the Las Vegas circuit, with its long straights and relatively low-grip surface, presented a novel challenge for all teams, requiring careful balance between outright speed and tyre preservation.
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As the race progressed into its second half, Lando Norris began to find a rhythm, demonstrating impressive pace in his second stint. His efforts saw him successfully overtake George Russell with 16 laps remaining, securing second place and setting his sights on the race leader. It was at this juncture that McLaren’s pit wall transmitted a message to Norris: "We’re going to get Max." This radio call, delivered with what appeared to be a mix of optimism and strategic encouragement, suggested that McLaren believed Norris had the pace to close the gap to Verstappen, who was then leading by a few seconds.
However, the psychological effect of this message on Verstappen was immediate and pronounced. Upon being informed of McLaren’s confident declaration, the Red Bull driver responded with a blistering series of fastest laps. This sudden surge in pace quickly shattered McLaren’s hopes, as Verstappen systematically increased his advantage over Norris, ultimately crossing the finish line a commanding 20.7 seconds ahead. The dramatic increase in the time gap served as a stark reminder of Verstappen’s exceptional ability to extract performance when challenged, and Red Bull’s underlying strategic control.
Helmut Marko, a figure renowned for his blunt assessments and sharp wit within the Formula 1 paddock, did not hide his amusement at McLaren’s radio message. Speaking to Sky Sports Germany after the race, Marko provided an candid insight into Red Bull’s perspective on the unfolding drama.
"He [Verstappen] was able to easily maintain the pace of those behind him and therefore save the tyres," Marko explained, highlighting Red Bull’s calculated approach to tyre management. "We also stayed out longer than everyone else. Of course, we knew the condition of the competitors’ tyres, and the funniest thing was the message that came from McLaren: ‘Attack Max, overtake him.’ And then he hammered in one fastest lap after another, just to make things clear."
Marko’s comments painted a picture of a driver and team in complete control, even when seemingly under pressure. He emphasized the effortless nature of Verstappen’s response. "But he did it with such confidence and ease. We had no problems at all," Marko stated, reinforcing the perception of Red Bull’s overwhelming advantage. He also noted Norris’s subsequent struggles, observing that "Lando had some issues at the end, because he was two or three seconds slower. Unfortunately, there was no one there who could capitalize on that."
Reflecting on the race start, Marko was equally direct: "From the first lap… I wouldn’t say [Max] won the start. He won the first corner and practically forced Norris into the mistake." This commentary highlighted Verstappen’s aggressive opening maneuver as a decisive factor, effectively shaping the race from its earliest moments. Marko concluded his observations by declaring the performance "an unbelievable Max Verstappen show," a testament to the Dutchman’s dominant display.
A senior figure within Red Bull echoed these sentiments, further praising Verstappen’s "masterclass" performance in Las Vegas. "I think he had probably even more pace than what we have seen in the car," the representative stated. "There were a couple of times in the second stint where we asked him to increase the pace when Lando was pushing, and every time it was necessary, he increased the pace. So I think all together it was a masterclass from him, no question."
The Red Bull representative also pointed out the challenging nature of the Las Vegas weekend, which saw disrupted practice sessions. "On the race weekend, nobody had the proper preparations because the practice sessions were all disturbed by something or something else. To be that strong on Sunday, tyre degradation, execution, race pace, I think it’s a big well done to Max for nailing it again." The team’s philosophy, the representative added, was to approach each race individually: "We do what we always said we were doing: we take it race by race. A win is a win. It’s easy to forget how difficult it is to win. You need to get everything right, and that’s how we look at it. We look at every single race. You cannot imagine a more different situation in Qatar compared to Vegas. Now everything is the opposite of Vegas, so we will reset and try to nail the weekend again."
The Las Vegas Grand Prix marked Verstappen’s sixth victory of the 2023 season, further solidifying his impressive campaign. The championship narrative, however, took an unexpected turn following the race. McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were both disqualified due to technical infringements related to their front wing endplates. This post-race decision had significant implications for the drivers’ standings.
Prior to the disqualifications, Norris had been leading the championship by a narrow margin, with Verstappen closely behind. The stewards’ ruling meant Verstappen, instead of remaining 24 points behind Norris, effectively closed the gap significantly. With two rounds remaining in the 2023 season – Qatar and Abu Dhabi – Verstappen found himself firmly back in contention for the championship title. The disqualification also left Norris level on points with his teammate Piastri, highlighting a fierce intra-team battle within McLaren, which had shown remarkable improvement throughout the season.
McLaren had started the 2023 season with a significant performance deficit but introduced a series of crucial upgrades, particularly at the British Grand Prix, that dramatically improved their car’s competitiveness. This resurgence saw both Norris and Piastri frequently challenge for podiums and even victories, turning McLaren into a consistent threat. However, Red Bull’s own development, particularly with upgrades introduced around the Monza Grand Prix in September, allowed Verstappen to regain his dominant stride. His run of four victories in the last seven Grands Prix leading up to Vegas demonstrated his formidable form and the sustained performance advantage of the Red Bull package.
As the championship heads towards its dramatic conclusion, the events of Las Vegas, particularly the confident radio call and Verstappen’s emphatic response, will be remembered as a vivid illustration of the high-stakes psychological and on-track battles that define Formula 1. Verstappen’s consistent "masterclass" performances, as noted by his team, coupled with Red Bull’s strategic prowess, set the stage for a thrilling climax to the 2023 season.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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