As the 2024 Formula 1 season resumes, Dr Helmut Marko admits there's no "big solution" on the horizon for Red Bull's decline in dominance.
With the end of the sport's August break and the reopening of factories, Marko revealed that no developments were made during the downtime. He insists, "We have to solve our problems and find where the problem lies."
Reflecting on the season's first half, Marko stated in his Speed Week column, "We no longer have the balance in the car if you compare the current situation with the first three races." He also noted, "But it is difficult to estimate how quickly that will change. I don't think that the big solution will come in Zandvoort," Marko admitted.
"We are brainstorming intensively and have various ideas. But I can't say yet what we will implement and how."
There is ongoing speculation that Red Bull might hit reverse gear on some recent upgrades to their car starting with the Italian GP at Monza.
Speaking to Auto Motor und Sport, Marko recalled, "At the start of the season, we had a car that was as balanced as the McLaren is now. Then we took a wrong turn somewhere."
He lamented the car's transformation, stating, "The car has become a dog that only Max (Verstappen) can tame. The developments made the car more and more unpredictable. It became more and more difficult to set it up and balance it."
Marko optimistically added, "When the car's reactions are more predictable again, (Sergio) Perez will also find his speed again."
Regarding future driver developments, it seems Liam Lawson is poised to replace Daniel Ricciardo in Red Bull's second team RB from 2025, with Isack Hadjar likely advancing to Lawson's current reserve role.
"He clearly has the potential for Formula 1," said Marko, commenting on Hadjar. "We'll see how things develop, but he will certainly take on some role."
"It could be that he will spend a year as a test and simulator driver, like Lawson," he added.
