Helmut Marko: Red Bull suffering because development went in the wrong direction after Melbourne

The Austrian, now operating in a reduced ambassadorial role for the Red Bull Ring, delivered a blunt assessment of the team’s current struggles, pointing to aerodynamic direction rather than the new power unit as the core issue behind their loss of performance.

Marko did not attempt to soften the situation facing the Milton Keynes outfit: “We’re suffering along with the whole team, but we’re hoping for tradition, that is, our ability to turn around difficult situations in the past.”

He made it clear that while Red Bull’s first in house engine is not leading the field, it is not the primary concern: “The engine isn’t the best, but that’s not the main problem.”

Instead, the focus falls squarely on the RB22’s aerodynamic evolution, which has failed to build on its initial showing in Australia: “The chassis only performed acceptably in the opening race in Melbourne, but then development went in the wrong direction.”

Marko also distanced himself from speculation surrounding Max Verstappen and his long term future, suggesting he is no longer closely involved in such discussions: “I don’t hear from him regularly, so I can’t give you any news. To properly assess whether he will leave at the end of the year, I’m too far away; I don’t give outside advice.”

His outlook on Red Bull’s championship prospects was equally direct, reflecting the scale of the team’s current deficit: “Last year Max performed a miracle, coming close to the title, but I fear he won’t make it this year.”

Heading to the Miami Grand Prix, next month, Red Bull are P6 in the Constructors' standings, with Verstappen in P9 on 12 points. Teammate Isack Hadjar is P12 on four points. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli leads the standings, on 72 points.