Jul.16 (GMM) Pink Bull has fallen behind not one however two Method 1 groups as the primary half of the 2024 season progressed.
That’s the admission of the formerly-dominant reigning champions’ F1 guide Dr Helmut Marko, who instructed Velocity Week: “Thank God there’s an replace in Budapest and we hope it’s going to take us a step ahead.”
Marko says Pink Bull now must be “excellent” throughout a race weekend to win races.
“One factor is definite,” he added. “The replace has to work, as a result of we’re at present behind McLaren – and when you take a look at the race in England, we’re additionally behind Mercedes.”
The excellent news, mentioned the 81-year-old Austrian, is that Pink Bull’s rivals seem like “taking it in turns” to win races, which helps Max Verstappen to keep up and even prolong his present factors lead.
“However we will’t depend on that,” Marko insisted. “I additionally consider that Ferrari is not within the operating. However we have now to have the ability to win once more on our personal – that’s our purpose.
“We nonetheless have 12 race weekends forward of us and we will’t depend on there all the time being others behind us and now forward of us and benefiting from that.”
One other challenge for Pink Bull is the constructors’ championship state of affairs, with Sergio Perez at present struggling even to attain factors. “We want two drivers on the entrance for the constructors’ championship and we nonetheless hope that Sergio will discover his type once more,” mentioned Marko.
“We are going to consider the state of affairs after the subsequent two races in the summertime break after which we are going to see.”
Marko additionally hinted that Liam Lawson is now on the cusp of creating the full-time step as much as Method 1, with rumours suggesting Pink Bull will oust 34-year-old Daniel Ricciardo on the junior workforce RB.
“It’s good that younger persons are coming to Method 1, I’m completely in favour of that,” he mentioned, referring to 2024 Haas rookie Oliver Bearman.
“I can’t title any names, however there are drivers within the subject who’re stagnating and are higher or worse relying on the temper,” Marko added. “They’re blocking the best way for the younger drivers.
“The groups are additionally afraid of juniors,” he mentioned. “In fact they make errors, however I’d relatively somebody makes errors and has hope for the long run than there being no additional enchancment.”
