Red Bull 'battles' alone: 'Vasseur declares love to Wolff'

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko is unhappy with Ferrari and Mercedes' attitude towards the new engine regulations that will be introduced in 2026, he tells Motorsport-Total.

The Austrian has repeatedly said that the new concept will not benefit Formula 1. From 2026, half of F1 engines must be electrically powered. To achieve this, the manufacturers, including Red Bull Powertrains, have to incorporate a massive battery. This mega-battery is not only big but also very heavy, and according to Marko, this would not benefit racing. "According to our simulations, it would then be faster to downshift on the straight."

Marko also warns about the safety of the drivers. The weight of the batteries is not only detrimental to performance but also amplifies the impact of a potential crash. "Max's crash in 2021 at Silverstone could have turned out differently." He believes that it would be more logical to adjust the distribution, so that the engines are powered by hybrids for forty percent, and the combustion engines take on sixty percent of the work. Marko believes that this adjustment should be feasible.

Red Bull gets no support from Mercedes and Ferrari

According to the consultant, the criticism has nothing to do with the development of Red Bull's engines. Marko said earlier that Red Bull is well ahead in development compared to the competition. "Formula 1 is ultimately a show, and we have to be able to present the public something. Then, it can't be the case that, in Monza, you have to downshift on the straight."

Marko is disappointed at the lack of support from the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari, with the two teams not joining Red Bull's criticism. "Fred Vasseur is just declaring his love to Toto Wolff," Marko says with a wink.