SM
Newcastle vs. West Ham: 1 hr 45 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Marko surprised by 'more powerful' Mercedes

:Headline: Marko surprised by 'more powerful' Mercedes: ID:406194: from db_amp
Dr Helmut Marko says Red Bull-Honda has been caught out by Mercedes' engine boost for 2020.

Dr Helmut Marko says Red Bull-Honda has been caught out by Mercedes' engine boost for 2020.

The energy drink owned team had hoped to propel Max Verstappen to his first title this year, and Marko insists that target remains in place.

But he admitted to Bild am Sonntag newspaper: "It was surprising to us that the Mercedes has become significantly more powerful over the winter.

"The way Hamilton went past Albon at the start of the first race was terrifying," he added. "But that's just the way it is and we have to see how we can deal with that in the short term."

Already, it is clear that the gloves are off between the two teams, with Red Bull protesting not only Mercedes' DAS system but also Lewis Hamilton's ignoring of yellow flags last weekend.

"It's about a world championship, so we demand equal treatment," Marko insists.

"It has nothing to do with harshness, but we will certainly not bow to Mercedes."

He said he doubts Ferrari can join that title fight.

"If you look at the fact that all the Ferrari teams have slowed down by between eight tenths and one second, you can draw a clear conclusion," said Marko.

"They're usually strong enough to work their way out of it, but you really can't make up that big a deficit in one season."

Finally, Marko was asked about the fact that while Alex Albon kneeled on the grid in Austria last weekend, Verstappen chose to keep standing.

"We left it up to the drivers," he explained of the gesture organised by Lewis Hamilton. "Our view is that we should not mix in too much politics with a sporting event."

As for whether Verstappen contributed to F1 appearing to be politically divided rather than unified, Marko said: "I can't force anyone to make a symbolic gesture by coercion.

"But just because someone doesn't kneel is far away from someone being a racist."

amp_article__406194 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-07-12 09:10:04:
html db last update - 2020-07-12 09:10:04 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Helmut Marko

Click here for more stories about Mercedes

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .