Marko: 'Don't think Ferrari can keep up with Red Bull development speed'

Helmut Marko saw Lewis Hamilton finish only 13th in the Imola Grand Prix, prompting the Red Bull Racing advisor to wonder if the Mercedes driver might not be regretting not hanging up his racing helmet. He stated this just after Verstappen's race in Italy.

What is clear is that Hamilton has not yet managed to approach his form of last season. The Mercedes driver was tremendously matched to Verstappen in 2021, but this year he is struggling. The seven-time world champion is not up to speed and does not know how to match Russell's level. 

"He [Hamilton] was lapped by us, maybe he's thinking he should've stopped last year," Marko said afterwards in front of the Sky Sports cameras. Especially painful to see was that teammate Russell managed to finish neatly fourth, collecting twelve World Cup points for Mercedes.

Battle with Ferrari now

Last year it was neck-and-neck between Red Bull and Mercedes, but Ferrari has taken the latter's place in 2022. The difference in the constructors' championship is eleven points after four Grands Prix. Marko is confident of capturing both world championships in the premier class of motorsport.

When asked if he thinks Ferrari can keep up with Red Bull's development speed, Marko replied, "I don't think so, what we saw is when we put real pressure on them and they are making mistakes. It's a good sporting and friendly competition between Ferrari and us," he concludes his story on British television.