Helmut Marko has cast doubt on the resurgence of Ferrari at Silverstone, suggesting that what appeared to be a leap forward in F1 2025 British Grand Prix practice could unravel when it matters most in race pace on Sunday.
Despite Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finishing just behind McLaren’s Lando Norris in Free Practice 2, Marko points to signs of tyre degradation as a possible Achilles’ heel for the Italian team.
After an encouraging showing in Austria with an updated car, Ferrari looked sharp in the opening two sessions at Silverstone, prompting McLaren CEO Zak Brown to name them as the biggest threat for his team this weekend. Yet Marko’s analysis suggests a more complicated picture behind the lap times.
“What I saw, Hamilton had massive graining after quite a few laps, Mercedes also had graining,” said Marko. “And our graining was reasonable, like McLaren’s. So that’s a good sign.”
Red Bull Focuses on Race Day Potential
While Charles Leclerc was satisfied with Ferrari’s performance over a race distance and said he felt confident about their long-run pace, he admitted there was still “work to do” over a single lap. Lewis Hamilton echoed the optimism but also battled through visible tyre struggles as temperatures climbed during the session.
Marko, meanwhile, was more encouraged by Red Bull’s progress between the first and second practice. Max Verstappen may have finished only fifth in FP2, but his long-run pace was on par with the front runners.
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“We made a big step from FP1 to FP2,” Marko explained. “But still, we have to find the right balance and we have to get rid of massive understeer in two or three corners. The long run was more promising. So if we can find the problems or cure the problems, I think we would be competitive.”
The Austrian’s focus is now squarely on Sunday, where tyre management could make the crucial difference in a three-way fight between Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren.
“Ferrari’s race pace looked good on the timing screens, but the graining that Hamilton and Mercedes experienced suggests they might face difficulties over a full stint,” Marko indicated. “Our graining was much more under control. That, together with McLaren’s performance, gives us confidence heading into the race.”
British Grand Prix Weekend Buzzes with Off-Track Drama
As always in Formula 1, talk of performance has been rivalled by speculation away from the track. This week, Max Verstappen found himself at the centre of swirling rumours about a possible move to Mercedes in 2026.
Italian reports suggested a deal had already been struck, only for those claims to be dismissed by all parties involved. Both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli expect to remain with Mercedes, while Verstappen maintains he is committed to Red Bull and focused on returning to winning ways.
Still, Marko’s attention remains fixed on the more immediate challenge. “If we can cure the problems, I think we would be competitive,” Marko said, looking ahead to a Sunday showdown where strategy and tyre preservation could prove decisive.
With track temperatures expected to remain high and teams still fine-tuning their setups, the question remains: can Ferrari maintain their apparent advantage, or will Red Bull’s focus on tyre longevity pay off when it counts?
