Helmut Marko doubts Red Bull can fight for Monza podium

Helmut Marko admits Red Bull could struggle to even finish on the podium at Monza this weekend, despite the faster layout suiting the car more than Zandvoort.

Max Verstappen managed second place at his home race, but both the triple world champion and his 82-year-old mentor now concede the title fight is effectively over.

"Up front, (Oscar) Piastri will just cruise through the next race, now that the championship seems to be decided for him," Marko told Osterreich. "You have to be realistic," he added.

"McLaren is like from another planet. When they put the foot down, they're three-quarters of a second per lap ahead of us. At least we've pulled away from Ferrari and Mercedes – they're a second behind." Verstappen recently admitted he probably won't win again in 2025, though Marko still sees opportunities.

"On tracks like Baku, Austin, Jeddah or Mexico it can work out, the faster the better," he said. But at Monza, Marko sees little hope. "Too soon. Plus there are too many chicanes there," he explained.

"Even a podium will be tough for us behind the McLarens." Looking further ahead, Red Bull faces the huge challenge of producing its own engine for the first time in 2026 in collaboration with Ford. Former team boss Christian Horner had cautioned that success may not come quickly.

"If you look at the experience of our competitors, that's probably true," Marko acknowledged. "But I say - let's wait and see. The topic is so complex that under the new regulations anything is possible. There will be huge surprises, both positive and negative. For now, I'll think positive."