Helmut Marko criticizes Mercedes and the FIA regarding the reduction of DRS zones

Helmut Marko, advisor to the Red Bull team, has raised questions about the “manipulations” that he believes are being used to push the team back after a dominant start to the season.

The RB19 has proven to be largely untouchable in the early races, with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez engaged in an internal fight for the Formula 1 drivers’ championship.

In Azerbaijan and Miami, the shortening of DRS zones has sparked numerous criticisms throughout the grid, with the race spectacle in Baku particularly affected by the lack of maneuvers and overtakes.

The straight-line efficiency of Red Bull left the paddock amazed by its advantage in terms of top speed when DRS is activated, and Marko is convinced that the shortening of zones in recent races is targeting the Austrian team.

“Overtaking has always been difficult, but it is even more so when the DRS zones are reduced. And we know why this is happening…” he stated in the pages of Motorsport-Magazin. When asked if he thought the changes were aimed at reducing Red Bull’s advantage, Marko replied: “Exactly.”

« We must stop intervening with this kind of manipulations, it’s strange that Mercedes, among all the teams, is the one complaining the most.

For years, Mercedes had the best engine and was much more ahead of the competition than we are today. And then, when you deliver a failed car two years in a row, it might be wise to focus on this point.