General
Marko denies suggestions: 'We are miles ahead in engine project'
- Cas van de Kleut
From 2026, the engine regulations will be changed in Formula 1. It is a hotly debated topic: new engine manufacturers will join and engine manufacturers will return. At Red Bull, they have already complained several times about the regulations, as simulations have allegedly shown that performance is not optimal. Helmut Marko explains to Motorsport.com what they mean by this.
Red Bull has it very well right now. They lead comfortably in both the drivers' and constructors' championships. Also, every race run so far this season has been won by the Milton Keynes-based team.
Marko responds to Wolff's suggestion
Toto Wolff had a feeling that Red Bull were trying to get the regulations changed because they feared they would lose out in terms of performance. According to Marko, however, this is not true: "In August, we are still running a complete combustion engine with MGU-K and battery. We are miles ahead of Audi, we are miles ahead of Ferrari, and Mercedes is about the same."
Marko therefore stresses that the reason for the criticism of the engine is mainly to do with creating a good show, and that it would be a shame to have to downshift on a straight. Red Bull Racing's top advisor also gives Verstappen's crash at Silverstone in 2021 as an example. According to him, this could have ended very differently with a heavier battery. Marko suggests switching the ratio of electric to fuel back to 40:60. This would already offset the problem.