Helmut Marko sees Red Bull's rivals approach: 'The competition is closer'

Red Bull's main competitor is Ferrari, the Austrian consultant believes. "Ferrari has definitely taken a step forward and is the fastest team behind us because they have also stabilised their strategy. I see them as our most serious opponent. The competition is closer and closer, that's a fact. How close also depends on the circuit," Marko told Kleine Zeitung.

Marko on Mercedes' season

Mercedes, partly due to their disappointing results, have not yet managed to finish in any stand-out positions this season, Marko observes. "They are unpredictable. Sometimes they are at the front and then suddenly they are completely gone again. But they are coming out with an update and we will see if they can aim high with that," said Marko.

Yet, Marko also thinks he knows where the difference lies for Red Bull's results. "We have lost two races so far (Miami and Melbourne), both of which are street circuits. Now we are back on a permanent circuit. Let's see if we can overcome the little phase of weakness we had recently."