Helmut Marko not ruling out dream Red Bull scenario

Former Red Bull chief advisor Helmut Marko has not ruled out the possibility of the team soon rejoining the fight at the front of the F1 field.

The Milton Keynes-based squad has been largely absent from the battle at the front during the opening phase of the season.

It has scored just one podium in the first seven rounds, courtesy of Max Verstappen, who finished third at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Mercedes has been the dominant force so far, taking six wins from the opening seven races.

However, its campaign has not been entirely faultless, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli both suffering engine failures in Canada and Barcelona respectively.

“Under the new regulations, Mercedes is clearly the favourite,” Marko told Kleine Zeitung.

“However, they’ve now suffered their second engine failure, which is unusual for them.”

Ferrari brought itself into the fight in Barcelona by introducing a significant upgrade package to the event.

Red Bull is expected to unveil a sizeable enhancement at its home round this weekend, which Marko is hopeful will see his former team leap up the pecking order.

“Generally speaking, it has to be said that updates are certainly more effective at this stage of the regulations; you can gain a five-tenths-of-a-second advantage,” he said.

“Red Bull is fielding a car at the weight limit for the first time, so they’ll certainly be in the mix too. 

“I hope Max can then compete at the front. Mercedes are the favourites, but the rest of the field is more than interesting.”