Helmut Marko: Only Red Bull Is Capable of Such a Formula 1 Turnaround

Helmut Marko believes Red Bull's resurgence in Formula 1 this season is an achievement only the Milton Keynes-based outfit could pull off. The Austrian highlighted that Max Verstappen's recent run of dominant form has been driven by the dramatic transformation of the RB22 challenger.

At the start of the championship, the Austrian team trailed the then-dominant Mercedes outfit by more than a second per lap. However, the squad led by Laurent Mekies has made remarkable progress. Thanks to aerodynamic upgrades and a revised floor introduced in Baku, Red Bull came within inches of winning in Azerbaijan before claiming commanding victories at Sepang and Singapore.

Winning races on pure pace was the ultimate target for Mekies and Verstappen, particularly with the team facing the looming prospect of their first winless season since 2015.

Reflecting on the remarkable turnaround, the former team advisor shared his admiration with Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung:

Marko also revealed that the four-time world champion had immense faith in the car's upgrades, predicting his Marina Bay victory weeks in advance. The Singapore night race was one of the few remaining unconquered venues for the Dutchman, who had never previously taken the top step of the podium at the circuit.

Following this upturn in form, Marko believes the 29-year-old can challenge George Russell and Lewis Hamilton for second place in the drivers' championship, just behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is closing in on the title.