Helmut Marko sounds Red Bull F1 title alarm

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has called on the Milton Keynes-based squad to make rapid improvements to the RB21 car or concede defeat in the title fight.

Max Verstappen has won two out of the opening nine races this year, leaving him third in the drivers' championship.

However, McLaren has enjoyed the strongest start to the campaign with seven wins, five of which have been achieved by championship leader Oscar Piastri.

The Australian currently holds a 49-point advantage over Verstappen as the season nears its halfway mark - causing Marko to issue a plea to Red Bull.

“If we can't close the gap soon, the drivers' championship will be over too,” Marko told Krone Zeitung.

“We have to be capable of winning on our own, like we did in Suzuka.”

The latest round of the F1 season takes place in Canada this weekend around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve - an event Red Bull has won in each of the previous three visits.

However, Marko does not hold confidence Red Bull can make it four in a row on Sunday.

“Purely in terms of speed, no,” Marko said when asked if another Canada win was possible. 

“There's not much going for us here: There are no fast corners, high kerbs – everything our car hasn't loved in the past. 

“Perhaps what's working in our favour are the cooler temperatures that are forecast. 

“And in Canada, there's the famous Wall of Champions, where even world champions have crashed into it – there's always been some turbulent races there.”