Q: Helmut, on the subject of Red Bull’s Renault power unit, where do you stand right now?

Helmut Marko: We are significantly behind Mercedes. They clearly dominate. The complexity of the units: IC engine, hybrid, MGU-K, MGU-H, and bringing all these systems together, and then adding driveability to it - that makes the best product and that is clearly the case with Mercedes. But because the rules are not open it means that you are only allowed to make changes on a very limited scale which makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to catch up.



Q: Is that something that goes only for 2015 or until the rules are changed again?

HM: This situation will last until the rules are changed again. And then when you have such a disastrous weekend as Melbourne things are said fast - and the Malaysian weekend didn’t ease the situation much. We have implemented now a system where it is clearly defined who has what responsibilities, as there have been mistakes in the past from Renault’s side as well as from our side as both companies stand for different corporate cultures. Here you have basically a state-run organisation and we in the UK have highly motivated people that react immediately to any necessity. Add to that the problems with the test facility, and there you have a situation that we have seen at the last two races. How and when we find improvement - whether this season or in 2016 - is still unclear.



Q: How real do you think the pull-out threats of Renault are?

HM: Renault are spending a lot of money on this power unit - not as much as Mercedes but a significant amount - and are confronted with the same issues that we have: their F1 involvement has to pay off! Add to that that Renault feels under-represented on the marketing side so there are considerations to either buy Toro Rosso or more likely give them a yellow livery to have a better marketing platform. But of course the figures have to correspond.



Q: What would it mean for Red Bull Racing if Toro Rosso goes yellow?

HM: Such a scenario would only take off if the close relationship between Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso stays intact within the rules. Red Bull Racing’s headcount is much higher, the equipment of the team is more sophisticated - so without the know-how of Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso would be hurt in its competitiveness. So as I just said, a close interaction of both teams is paramount to such a scenario.