Marko: 'Our lead is down to disappointing competition'

What a year it has been for Red Bull Racing. With Max Verstappen's victory in Hungary, the team now has a record run of 12 wins in a row. Helmut Marko calls 2023 the best year ever for the team, but balks at the disappointing competition.

Vettel to succeed Marko?

The Red Bull team advisor told Speedweek.com in the paddock at the Hungaroring. The conversation starts at whether or not the Austrian is about to leave. It turns to his successor. Former Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel is mentioned as his successor. Marko: "I don't know if Sebastian will come back. He had to find himself first. And he has to be able to justify it to himself. There will always be combustion engines in Formula 1."

Struggling competition has helped Red Bull so much

Marko is referring to Vettel's activist stance on behalf of the climate. Later, the conversation turns to the biggest surprises of 2023. Marko has been surprised both positively and negatively this year. Marko: "On the positive side, Red Bull's success in the first half of this season with Max's incredible ease." On the negative side: "I think Ferrari and Mercedes have underperformed. They have gone backwards rather than forwards from 2022 to 2023."

Marko's explanation is that Red Bull's big lead is mainly due to its inconsistent rivals. Nevertheless, Marko dares to call 2023 the best year ever for Red Bull: "We have not yet managed to win the first two places among drivers and the constructors' cup [in one season]. We have never done that before and could succeed in 2023."