Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has issued a warning to Max Verstappen’s competitors ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, emphasizing the challenge they will face against the three-time F1 champion.

At the Miami Grand Prix, McLaren’s Lando Norris became the first driver to defeat Verstappen on track this season. Benefitting from the timing of a safety car, Norris managed to extend his lead over Verstappen, who faced floor damage on his RB20, ultimately securing victory by a margin of over seven seconds.

Despite Norris’s recent success and McLaren’s upgraded package posing a threat in race competitions, Marko remains unfazed about a potential rivalry between Norris and Verstappen. He expressed confidence in Red Bull’s ability to respond effectively at Imola, where they plan to introduce a countermeasure upgrade.

“I’m not concerned because Norris trails Max Verstappen by more than 50 points,” explained the 81-year-old in an interview with oe24. “Furthermore, we are unveiling an upgrade at Imola, which I anticipate will be significant. However, the Miami race highlights the importance of focusing on the sporting aspects.”