Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko said that he would have liked Lewis Hamilton to stay off-form for longer as he "is a dangerous opponent".

Hamilton has endured a difficult season in 2011, with personal problems off the track adding to a number of incidents on it. As a result he's currently fifth in the standings going in to the final race of the year, but appeared to return to form with his third win of the season in Abu Dhabi. Marko said that he was wary of Hamilton's return to form because it makes him a threat to Red Bull for victories.

"For us, we would not have minded if Hamilton had stayed quiet for even longer," Marko told Auto Motor und Sport. "When he is back at 100 per cent, Mr Hamilton is a dangerous opponent."

Marko also said that McLaren is the team that Red Bull fears the most, because of its ability to improve so much over a season as has been evident in both 2009 and this year.

"They are like a terrier biting a bit more with each race. McLaren emerge from every crisis, which shows the class of a racing team."

Despite McLaren being a clear threat to Red Bull by the end of the season, Hamilton himself said that the team needs to be starting next year in a more competitive position.

"Our car is always as good as the Red Bull eventually," Hamilton said. "It would be helpful for the future if we get there earlier than we have been."