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Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Marko spells out the key factor Red Bull need 'to keep Verstappen happy'

16:11, 12 Feb

Updated: 16:12, 12 Feb

byTobia Elia

Helmut Marko underlined the importance of the new Red Bull–Ford power unit, describing it as a key tool in convincing Max Verstappen to stay.

"Red Bull has worked well with its own engine so far - and you have to do that if you want to keep Verstappen happy"

- Helmut Marko

Speaking in an interview with Blick, the Austrian believes Mercedes are currently ahead of Red Bull, but says the latter have done a solid job on the engine — no small feat given it is the very first power unit built entirely in-house at Milton Keynes, albeit with technical support from Ford.

"Mercedes seems to have a slight advantage. But can they implement everything well? Because fuels also plays an important role this time. Red Bull has worked well with its own engine so far - and you have to do that if you want to keep Verstappen happy."

Aside from an overnight issue that forced Red Bull to miss part of the morning session, the RB22 has shown strong reliability on track, despite never really chasing outright performance.

Photo: Race Pictures

Wolff makes striking admission about Verstappen and Mercedes

Red Bull’s power unit has caught the attention of Toto Wolff, who went as far as calling it the benchmark in terms of energy deployment after watching it closely out on track.

Mercedes had been tipped by many as the pre-season favourite, but the Silver Arrows’ team principal offered a contrasting view, instead placing the spotlight on their rivals.

Read the full story here.