Helmut Marko admits that if Mercedes can maintain its Interlagos pace over the coming races, Red Bull can write-off its title hopes.

Watching Lewis Hamilton scythe through the field on consecutive days last weekend, one would be forgiven for believing that it is Mercedes that has 10 wins to its credit this year as opposed to rivals Red Bull.

Once the Briton got past his title rival he left him for dust, Verstappen finishing almost 11s down on the leading Mercedes and rapidly falling into the clutches of the second.

Armed with a fresh ICE, Hamilton was setting the pace from the outset, however it was the W12's sheer speed advantage that had Christian Horner describing it as "mind-boggling" and Sergio Perez as being "from another planet".

With the three remaining circuits featuring long straights which will suit the W12's newfound pace, Red Bull motorsport consultant, Helmut Marko fears the titles are lost.

"If Hamilton is also so superior this weekend in Qatar, and then in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, we can write off the title," said the Austrian, according to F1-Insider.

"I have never seen such a rocket engine from Mercedes," he added. "We couldn't hold Hamilton on the straights, even though he was driving with a rear wing set at a similar steep angle to Monaco.

"But only Hamilton has that speed, the other Mercedes drivers are no cause for concern for us."

Over the course of a weekend which saw the war of words between the two teams escalate, Christian Horner and Max Verstappen both openly expressed surprise and concern at the Mercedes pace and questioned how it was being achieved.

"We are mainly concerned with two things, which we may also take up with the FIA for clarification," says Marko. "But there will only be a protest if we have evidence that something is not compliant with the rules on Hamilton's car."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by The stogie, 18/11/2021 23:02

"Red Bull has clearly forgotten how fast they were and not that long ago. Things change. There is also the matter of capability and Lewis seems, right now, to have a lock on that. "

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2. Posted by moh, 17/11/2021 14:01

""If Hamilton is also so superior this weekend in Qatar, and then in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, we can write off the title," said the Austrian - well duh! Where's the insight in this comment? It's a whine, not an informed view. If MV is superior in the next three races, then Mercedes should write-off the title. A more interesting dialogue might be around the taper rate of the Mercedes ICE and how this compares between Hamilton's car and other Merc powered engines that have been replaced throughout the season.. "

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3. Posted by F1nerd, 17/11/2021 12:31

"Lost both titles? Negative waves baby."

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4. Posted by Spindoctor, 17/11/2021 12:10

"Indeed the Pantomime season is upon us with Lewis & Wolff playing the Ugly Sisters while Max & Chris play Cinderella & Prince Charming"

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5. Posted by Mad Matt, 17/11/2021 11:10

"While this does appear to be another piece of pantomime.... you're the favourite... no, it's you.....

I did notice that Red Bull were a lot quicker in the middle sector in Brazil, I think Sky were saying it was as much as 0.3s. That suggests Red Bull were running more wing which explains some of the speed difference on the straights.

Looking at the F1 TV tech talk I also wonder if Mercedes are simply leaning harder on the MGU-H but can only afford to do it for a certain mileage before they have to turn it down or risk a failure..... just my theory...."

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Marko prepares to write-off titles

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