Marko: "Bottas can't match Hamilton's level"

  • Published on 15 Mar 2017 11:24
  • comments 3
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Sebastian Vettel's "provocative" behaviour shows Ferrari is entering the 2017 season as a favourite. That is the view of Dr Helmut Marko, who as Red Bull's driver chief brought the German into F1 and guided his four titles.

Now, Vettel is at Ferrari but Marko says he senses the 29-year-old is feeling very bullish at the wheel of his red 2017 car. "Ferrari is very strong," Marko told the Austrian broadcaster Servus TV.

"I am concerned because I know Sebastian quite well and he was provocative by aborting his best lap (in Barcelona) on the finish straight several times. Everyone noticed it. Someone who does this is very confident in himself and his knowledge of the qualities of his car," the Austrian added.

It is believed Ferrari and Mercedes could be neck-and-neck ahead of the season opener in Australia next weekend, while a bigger question mark lingers over Red Bull's pace. "The tests showed that Valtteri Bottas cannot match Lewis Hamilton's level. Mercedes still has the advantage but they will no longer occupy first and second places -- there will be other drivers between them," Marko predicted.

Meanwhile, many pundits are expecting Adrian Newey's technical team to spring a surprise in Melbourne. "Normally the teams take new parts to Australia," admitted Marko. "As for what we will have, I say only that our colours will definitely be the same!" (GMM)

Do not mock the man, Marko has crystal balls powered by 59 percent nitrogen, 21 percent hydrogen, 9 percent carbon dioxide, 7 percent methane and 4 percent oxygen (not unlike Flatulence). He makes accurate predictions by rubbing them.

  • 1
  • Mar 15 2017 - 13:33

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • Vet5

    Posts: 225

    Hmmm we all get told (and know) that we wont know who is fastest until Melbourne, yet Marko seems to think he knows the above, useless information from a useless individual. If he ever makes sense then we all know hell has frozen over

    • + 0
    • Mar 15 2017 - 12:34
    • Do not mock the man, Marko has crystal balls powered by 59 percent nitrogen, 21 percent hydrogen, 9 percent carbon dioxide, 7 percent methane and 4 percent oxygen (not unlike Flatulence). He makes accurate predictions by rubbing them.

      • + 1
      • Mar 15 2017 - 13:33
  • boudy

    Posts: 1,168

    Wouldn't say that he's useless. I like the personality and what he brings, I believe he's like advisor to the main man in Red Bull. Why wouldn't he know... he's closer to the source than most of us (if not all if us).

    • + 0
    • Mar 16 2017 - 17:04

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Sauber
  • Points 1,608
  • Podiums 61
  • Grand Prix 206
  • Country FI
  • Date of b. Aug 28 1989 (35)
  • Place of b. Nastola, FI
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.73 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar