Helmut Marko expects Purple Bull will “have the velocity” to beat McLaren when F1 arrives in Europe for the primary time subsequent month.
Purple Bull have trailed McLaren in pure efficiency phrases because the begin of the 2025 F1 season.
The Woking-based outfit have received 4 of the opening 5 races, making it their finest begin to an F1 season since 1998.
Purple Bull are the one different workforce to win a race, as Max Verstappen got here out on prime at Suzuka.
Verstappen additionally clinched pole in Jeddah however didn’t convert it right into a victory after he was penalised on the opening lap for illegally defending his place from Oscar Piastri down into Flip 1.
Purple Bull are pinning their hopes on the flexi-wing clampdown that can be in place for the Spanish Grand Prix.
Stricter measures are set to be in place, with Purple Bull assured that they’ll affect McLaren.
Marko has focused Imola because the weekend the place Purple Bull will be capable of beat McLaren on benefit.
Chatting with Motorsport.com, Marko mentioned: “We may have small steps, and I believe by Imola we needs to be able that we even have the velocity to beat the McLarens.”
Purple Bull’s success in 2025 has come at tracks with predominantly high-speed corners.
Their worst weekend was in Bahrain, with Verstappen ending a lowly sixth.
Verstappen needed to wait till the ultimate lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix to overhaul Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.
Marko believes that Purple Bull are nonetheless making progress regardless of their inconsistencies.
“In comparison with Bahrain, we made an enormous progress, but additionally this circuit fits us higher – sooner corners and so forth,” Marko added.
“We’re shifting ahead and getting a automobile which is extra predictable and can also be working in a wider vary.”