Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko is playing down the threat posed by a Sebastian Vettel-led Aston Martin in 2021.
This year the rebranded Racing Point team could potentially be seen as dark horses as the non-listed parts on their ‘Pink Mercedes’ will be upgraded to 2020 specification thanks to a loophole in the regulations, while the floor changes may also present an opportunity.
Throw into the equation the arrival of Vettel from Ferrari and you’d think Red Bull might want to keep an eye on Aston… or maybe not.
“I hope he finds his old form again. He knows himself that the last two years were not his best for whatever reason,” Marko told the F1-Insider on Vettel. “But I don’t think he can be dangerous to us.
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“In 2020 his new team was too far away from us for that and that’s despite the fact that [Sergio] Perez was extremely strong, especially in the second half of the season.
“Even if Sebastian is in top form every race, as a driver he can’t make up for the gap the team had on us, but maybe I’m wrong.”
Instead, the Red Bull chief thinks Aston Martin might want to look over their shoulder for a resurgent Ferrari team based on what he’s heard from Maranello.
“I am hearing that they made a significant leap on the engine side,” he told Germany’s RTL.
“I think they got over the shock of last season when they were 50hp behind. They are now newly motivated.
“It wasn’t a good thing with Vettel and the team leadership. There is now more agreement.
“So, the chances that they will compete for third place in the Constructors’ Championship are certainly there.”