Jul.16 (GMM) Purple Bull has fallen behind not one however two Components 1 groups as the primary half of the 2024 season progressed.
That’s the admission of the formerly-dominant reigning champions’ F1 guide Dr Helmut Marko, who advised Pace Week: “Thank God there’s an replace in Budapest and we hope it’ll take us a step ahead.”
Marko says Purple Bull now must be “excellent” throughout a race weekend to win races.
“One factor is for certain,” he added. “The replace has to work, as a result of we’re presently behind McLaren – and should you have a look at the race in England, we’re additionally behind Mercedes.”
The excellent news, mentioned the 81-year-old Austrian, is that Purple Bull’s rivals seem like “taking it in turns” to win races, which helps Max Verstappen to take care of and even lengthen his present factors lead.
“However we will’t depend on that,” Marko insisted. “I additionally imagine that Ferrari is not within the working. However now we have to have the ability to win once more on our personal – that’s our purpose.
“We nonetheless have 12 race weekends forward of us and we will’t depend on there at all times being others behind us and now forward of us and benefiting from that.”
One other problem for Purple Bull is the constructors’ championship state of affairs, with Sergio Perez presently struggling even to attain factors. “We’d like two drivers on the entrance for the constructors’ championship and we nonetheless hope that Sergio will discover his kind once more,” mentioned Marko.
“We’ll consider the state of affairs after the subsequent two races in the summertime break after which we are going to see.”
Marko additionally hinted that Liam Lawson is now on the cusp of constructing the full-time step as much as Components 1, with rumours suggesting Purple Bull will oust 34-year-old Daniel Ricciardo on the junior crew RB.
“It’s good that younger persons are coming to Components 1, I’m completely in favour of that,” he mentioned, referring to 2024 Haas rookie Oliver Bearman.
“I can’t identify any names, however there are drivers within the area who’re stagnating and are higher or worse relying on the temper,” Marko added. “They’re blocking the best way for the younger drivers.
“The groups are additionally afraid of juniors,” he mentioned. “After all they make errors, however I’d moderately somebody makes errors and has hope for the longer term than there being no additional enchancment.”
