Helmut Marko addresses potential of latest Red Bull upgrades

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has downplayed the potential of Red Bull's latest upgrades, fitted to the RB21 for this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. 

The Milton Keynes-based outfit's three-part upgrades package will conclude in Imola, with previous new parts having been introduced in Jeddah and Miami.

As of yet, the upgrades are yet to result in a significant race pace improvement for Red Bull, although Max Verstappen did claim pole position in the two mentioned venues.

Marko has outlined that improvements by the team will not be sudden, with the Austrian eyeing the upcoming new front wing technical directive in Barcelona as Red Bull's big chance.

"That is being exaggerated," Marko told Kronen Zeitung. "There will be gradual improvements, but you cannot expect us to suddenly have a winning car. 

"McLaren can manage the tyre temperature very favourably and in Miami we were seven-tenths to a second behind. The new rules for the wings that apply from Barcelona give us more hope that something will change."

When asked if Red Bull will be forced into making wing changes in Spain, Marko answered: "No, because we were confident from the beginning that the controls would be effective. But that was not the case."

The Spanish Grand Prix falls as the final part of the current European triple-header, which starts in Imola this weekend. 

It is set to be a challenging event for Red Bull, although possible rain on Sunday could open the door to Verstappen.

"That depends on the temperature," added Marko, discussing Red Bull's potential in Imola. "It shouldn't be too hot, so a podium finish is basically the maximum. But rain is forecast for Sunday, which leads to new possibilities."