Former Red Bull supremo Helmut Marko has stated that “the only hope” for the Formula 1 season to not result in a continuation of Mercedes dominance is for both its drivers to “tear each other apart”.
The Silver Arrows has been the class of the field so far this year, with George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli leading the way with victories in all five rounds so far.
Its W17 package has utilised a now-closed loophole in the new regulations cycle to maximise performance, with Antonelli in particular making the most of it, with four wins to Russell’s one.
The Brackley-based squad’s current status is that of its 2014/15/16 clean sweeps via Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, with the car the outright best ahead of its rivals.
And speaking to Austrian publication OE24, Marko laid out all the attributes the team has, saying it is “clearly the strongest team.
“They have the best engine and also set the tone with the battery.
“For the first time since 2021, they have managed to build a competitive chassis, and they also have a strong driver pairing.”
Marko had previously been somewhat critical of Antonelli during his rookie season last year, opining that he might have benefitted from driving for a ‘junior team’, as many of his Red Bull alumni did with its Racing Bulls, AlphaTauri and Toro Rosso squads.
But now, the famed talent-spotter spoke glowingly of Antonelli, but signalled a warning that Russell’s many additional years will prove vital, before delivering his view on the only way that the team can be stopped.
“Although I find it very refreshing how the young Antonelli lets the car fly,” he said. “But Russell is the experienced one, who will also strike back.
“That they tear each other apart in the process is the only hope. Otherwise Mercedes is gone.”
READ MORE – Las Vegas solidifies F1 future with major contract extension
Discussion about this post