Helmut Marko: It is at least a step in the right direction. But as always, the devil is in the detail. The price from where the reduction should be applied was not fixed. We have variations in engines from 16 million euros up to 28 million. That is one issue. Then it is still wide open on how the [performance] convergence is going to work: if we really can stay within these three-tenths of a second that’s been calculated then we are okay - but there seems to be no guarantee on that. Another issue is, of course, that we have to be supplied with an engine - no matter what else happens - as the independent engine is now definitely off the table.

Q: Helmut, Red Bull were arguably the team most eager for the engine rules changes for 2017. What do you make of the new regulations?

Q: Money, one assumes, isn’t a huge issue for Red Bull, but the performance convergence - those elusive three-tenths of a second - must be a burning issue for you…

HM: …yes, because if the gap is no more than three-tenths then we have every chance in the world to do something with our chassis. That would put us back up in a position where we will win races again – and fight for championships again. But again, it all depends on whether everything is done the way it has been written down and decided.

Q: Mercedes were supposedly the team most reluctant to any changes. Do you sympathise?

HM: Not at all. Because it was all about not losing any advantage. Now all the teams again have the chance to close the gap. Of course we are probably the biggest beneficiary, as in the past when new regulations came in we’ve always been ahead.

Q: So you hope that new rules will bring new chances for Red Bull?

HM: First of all we want to be competitive again. And we believe that the races have to be more exciting again - not so predictable…

Q: But that is what people against the rules changes have argued: that the racing this year has been exciting…

HM: But only in the midfield. The midfield racing has been sizzling. But when it came to winning the race you knew that it would be a Mercedes driver. The Mercedes driver who comes out of the first corner in first is the race winner. Hopefully that will change.

Q: So what about your season so far? In China Red Bull looked to be on the rise, but then it went downhill again in Russia?

HM: China was very special - a bit out of the norm. Daniel (Ricciardo) had the speed, yes, and in the end we were unlucky because without his puncture he could have finished second. But don’t forget Hamilton had his issues and the two Ferraris collided at the start. That will not happen at every race unfortunately. Looking at the Russian weekend: the engine power is super important there - we saw in qualifying that we had dropped back a bit again. We are again in the region of the Williams. What we are really looking forward is the next [power unit] upgrade - how powerful it will be. We are pretty optimistic. If the figures are right it should put us back in a situation where we can win races again on circuits like Budapest and Singapore - tracks that don’t have long straights.

Q: So what you are saying is that with the engine performance convergence next season you will be able to win races everywhere, whereas now you are at the ‘mercy’ of particular tracks - or the misfortune of others?

HM: Yes, that’s accurate.