Dr Helmut Marko has offered rare praise for Lando Norris after the McLaren driver secured pole position in Monaco.
Norris, who led the 2025 title race earlier in the season, admitted the result was a relief following what he called "a couple of months" of struggling with McLaren's otherwise dominant package.
Those interviewing Norris noted a shift in his post-qualifying demeanour — calm and measured, even in success.
"No it's not," Norris responded when told it's clearly a different approach.
"I'm happy. That doesn't mean that I have to show emotion. What do you want me to do – shout?"
Prior to qualifying, Marko had said a return to form for Norris would be the best-case outcome for Red Bull if Max Verstappen couldn't take pole — helping ensure McLaren's drivers continued taking points off one another.
With Norris on pole and Verstappen lining up behind championship leader Oscar Piastri and also Charles Leclerc's Ferrari, Marko sounded more impressed than content.
"The gap to pole position is frightening," said the 82-year-old. "I am negatively surprised. But I am impressed by McLaren."
"Norris did an excellent job," he added. "He stayed cool and he delivered. It will be a casino in the race, but that suits Monte Carlo," he smiled.
"Crazy things can happen now that everyone has to make two pitstops, but we can't influence that.
"When you're in front, you can determine what happens."
Marko believes race strategy could hinge on McLaren's pace and any potential safety car intervention.
"It's about what speed McLaren has in the race and when we get a safety car. In that case, the whole field will come in to pit."
"Overtaking is still impossible, even if you're four seconds quicker. The Formula 2 race with our (Arvid) Lindblad showed us that."
As for intra-team dynamics, both McLaren drivers are still in the title hunt, and it's unclear whether the team will impose team orders.
Reports suggest both Norris and Piastri have contracts guaranteeing equal number 1 status — and when Piastri was asked whether he would give up a win to secure a Norris victory, the Australian offered a telling pause.
"How much are you going to pay me?" he eventually joked.
"I mean, I want to win the race too. So let's see what happens. I think it's going to be a pretty chaotic race, but we'll see what happens."
