Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has believed that Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton to get another grid penalty at the end of 2021 Formula 1 season.
Marko said he cannot imagine that the Briton will finish the season with his current engines or at least not with the current parts.
Hamilton already took a new Internal Combustion Engine at the Turkish Grand Prix. However, with this being only one part of the power unit, the penalty was a 10-place grid drop, rather than being moved to the back.
“We still believe, based on the information that you get evry now and then, that Hamilton will probably to get a motor grid penalty. I don’t know whether it will be five or ten places, but tha should definitely be in our favour.” Marko said.
“We had a good 30 points lead at the summer break. Than we had our failures in Silverstone, Budapest and Baku, but in terms of kilometres led and victories, our marginal lead should be bigger.” Marko added.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen is a favourite with five Grands Prix on the F1 calender. The Dutchman has a 12-point lead over title rival Hamilton.
Marko has expected Verstappen to win the next 2 races, in Mexico and Brazil. He believed that Verstappen’s car will remain on the track every race.
“If we win the next 2 races, I estimate the chance at 60 percent for Verstappen and 40 percent for Hamilton.” Marko said.
“I think if both of them cross the finish line, the decision will be made in the last race. But the whole picture is drastically different if there is a breakdown, an accident or a technical one.
“But as our self-confidence increases, the nervousness increases at Mercedes. I think that is the basic trend.” he added.
