Helmut Marko has made a stunning admission about Red Bull’s title hopes after losing its lead in the constructors’ standings following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Following a dismal performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix where the Milton Keynes outfit saw its grip on the constructors’ championship slip away, Marko candidly stated that the team has effectively given up on defending its title.
This declaration marks a significant shift in tone for a team that has dominated the sport in recent years, winning consecutive championship doubles in 2022 and 2023.
The 2024 season has not unfolded as expected for Red Bull with the RB20 car, which had previously set benchmarks in performance, struggling to keep pace with rivals like McLaren and Ferrari in recent months.
After the Azerbaijan Grand Prix where Max Verstappen finished fifth and Sergio Perez was involved in a collision that left him without points, McLaren seized the lead in the constructors’ standings by 20 points thanks to Oscar Piastri’s win.
This stark reality prompted Marko’s frank assessment of Red Bull’s title hopes which he addressed in an interview with Ralf Schumacher on Sky Germany.
When asked if the team had written off their championship ambitions, the 81-year old simply replied: “To be honest, yes.”
Despite this setback in the constructors’ championship, Marko remains hopeful about Verstappen’s prospects in the drivers’ championship. Currently, Verstappen holds a substantial 59-point lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Marko pointed out that while Red Bull’s title hopes might be out of reach, there is still potential for Verstappen to secure the drivers championship. He noted that Oscar Piastri’s close points tally with Norris could complicate McLaren’s strategy, potentially benefiting Verstappen’s chances.
“The positive thing is that Oscar Piastri is close to Lando Norris in terms of points and there are team orders within McLaren,” he added. “Therefore, clarity will not follow so quickly.”
The challenges faced by Red Bull this season are multifaceted as the team has struggled with car setup and performance consistency.
Verstappen himself described the RB20 as “undrivable” at times during recent races, particularly after setup changes that failed to deliver the desired performance. The reigning world champion voiced frustration over the car’s handling characteristics, especially in low-speed corners where it struggled to maintain contact with the track surface.
“Max couldn’t even hook it up,” Marko said. “The tyres failed and the temperatures of the brakes went up. The car has potential, but the setup is still very sensitive.”
However, looking ahead Marko has indicated that Red Bull is not entirely resigned to their fate. He mentioned an upcoming upgrade package set to debut at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, which he believes could restore competitiveness to the team.
“The progress will not be seen in Singapore yet,” he admitted. “We’ll just have to see how we get through that race, but we really need to do better from Austin.
“Otherwise the drivers’ championship will also be in jeopardy.”
The current state of affairs within Red Bull Racing continue to raise questions about their strategic direction moving forward.
With seven races left in the season and both McLaren and Ferrari posing significant threats, the team must navigate these challenges effectively if they hope to salvage any semblance of success from this campaign.
