Helmut Marko is now a Mercedes fan. Surprising isn’t it? As F1 heads towards Spielberg, Red Bull’s advisor and also its toughest critic is making revelations ahead of their home race. Amidst all the ongoing strategies, Helmut explained why he supports Mercedes, who astonishingly emerged as Red Bull’s contender after a subpar first eight races. In a recent conversation with Austrian media, Helmut Marko enlightened the fans on Max Verstappen’s racing talents.

The interviewer then pointed out a newspaper headline stating “Verstappen faster than his own car.” To this, Dr. Marko replied: “Max wins because he is so confident, and not because the car is so good.” He has often expressed his appreciation for the Dutch, with whom he shares a close relationship. But, the big news is yet to come.

OE24 further reminded Dr. Marko that Red Bull’s pursuers lack consistency, and Verstappen is gradually extending his lead. “After the strong performances of McLaren and Norris, and before that Leclerc and Ferrari, Mercedes should now be knocking on the door, right?” the interviewer asked the advisor. And guess what Helmut Marko said? Helmut stated: “If Mercedes comes now, that will be a good fit for us and our World Championship calculations.” Taking a supportive stance towards Mercedes, he must have meant that if Mercedes joins the battle for titles, it’ll make the sport more fun for Red Bull.

Thus, the more the competition, the better it will be. Until now, Mercedes was being looked upon as a team with no motivation. This was because of how disappointing their race outcomes were. But the Canadian Grand Prix, followed by the Spanish Grand Prix, is gradually changing the scenario. So now, the question is: Will the team once again rise from the ashes?

Mercedes is emerging as a threat to the Top 3

Mercedes finally seems to be on the right track. What Toto Wolff had told before the Imola GP earlier this year wasn’t a lie. He said that upgrades were coming and fruitful results would occur within a few more races. Soon, his words became reality, first at the Canadian Grand Prix and next in Barcelona. The upgrades are working for the Silver Arrows. The controversial flexi wings seem to have done wonders in the last two races. This could be the turning point for the team as their struggles finally seemed to end. They’ve had trouble settling in with the new aerodynamics of 2022 and recently, tires have been a big issue. But keeping aside these worries, Mercedes is now focusing on further and better upgrades. Now, maximizing their performance and competing against the top 3 is the sole target.

With the ‘blessings’ of Helmut Marko on their side, Mercedes could emerge as the new terror in town. What the team does in the upcoming races will be interesting to see. With the Austrian Grand Prix ahead, Mercedes must focus on enhancing their performance further and strive to win races. Dr. Marko’s unexpected endorsement and indirect emphasis on Merdeces’ resurgence indicates a massive shift in the dynamics of the sport. Their climb back to the top tier could indeed heighten the thrill of the World Championship battle.