Marko: I'd rather have Ferrari win not Mercedes

For the second year running the championship is between Hamilton and Vettel, the pair have slugged it out with the pendulum swinging either way. Neither Mercedes or Ferrari capable of giving their drivers the edge for a sustained run of races - that's how close it has been.

Speaking on Servus TV, Marko revealed his preference in the title duel in which his Red Bull drivers are not involved, "I'd rather have Ferrari win not Mercedes again. Sebastian is currently stronger mentally and he has the better car."

Marko had first-hand experience on how to win four back-to-back F1 world titles when the German was at Red Bull and the Austrian recalled how Vettel was capable of a big fight back when required.

"I can remember a season when we were 50 points behind Fernando Alonso," recollected Marko. "Sebastian made up for that because he delivered incredibly precise races late in the season. I hope he can reactivate that."

Vettel and Ferrari, to a certain extent, have been architects of their own misery, the German Grand Prix giveaway will haunt them forever while some dubious strategy calls during some races have cost them too.

Asked why Vettel was accident prone at this point of his career, Marko ventured, "Maybe the pressure on him and Ferrari is so great... He did not make these mistakes with us."

Vettel returned from the summer break and fired up his campaign with a commanding victory at the Belgian Grand Prix with Hamilton second, Ferrari finally enjoying a discernible edge over their silver rivals.

The result reduced the championship gap, with Vettel now trailing by 17 points as they head to Ferrari's home race - the Italian Grand Prix - at Monza with the momentum firmly with the Reds.

After the demolition job that Ferrari did on Mercedes at Spa last weekend, expect a full house at the temple of speed as the Tifosi can surely smell blood.