Marko: We may match Mercedes and Ferrari by end of season

Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko has admitted the Austrian Grand Prix trophy will probably be passed into Mercedes’ hands, and he does not expect a revival by the energy drinks season until the latter part of the season.

The June race at the former A1-Ring, now known as the Red Bull Ring, is promoted by the energy drink company.

This week, Red Bull’s Marko and Daniel Ricciardo unveiled the carved wood and iron trophy that will be presented to the winner of the Austrian grand prix.

Referring to fellow Austrian and Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda, Marko smiled: “It probably will not be us but Niki (Lauda) who takes it home.

“What could save us is rain in Q3 and then (more rain) ten minutes after the start of the race. Then we could get involved.”

Marko told Wirtschaftsblatt newspaper that Red Bull’s engine partner Renault is some way from ending its 2015 crisis.

“Realistically, it will be only at the end of the season that we will have the power numbers of Mercedes and Ferrari,” he said.

“We have made every effort to put together the best chassis. But motor sport without an engine is difficult.”

Marko explained that before Renault can put down the throttle in terms of performance, it needs to get to the bottom of its constant reliability troubles.

“It is important for the next race to at least achieve a certain amount of reliability,” he said. “Only then do you work on driveability, and finally the power.”