Marko reveals Mercedes as Austria favourite as Red Bull upgrade looms

Helmut Marko has identified Mercedes as the favourite for this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, but the former Red Bull advisor believes lingering power unit concerns and a major upgrade package from his former team could shake up the competitive order at the Red Bull Ring.

Why it matters:

Mercedes has set the pace under the 2026 regulations, yet a second engine failure has raised serious questions about reliability. With Red Bull introducing updates at its home race and Ferrari showing strong cornering pace, the outcome in Austria could reshape the early championship standings.

The details:

• Marko told Kleine Zeitung that Mercedes is the "favourite" on paper, but their second power unit failure is "unusual" for the Brackley outfit and could resurface under the sustained demands of the Red Bull Ring.
• Red Bull is running its car at the weight limit for the first time this season, and Marko noted that updates at this stage of the regulations can yield gains of up to five-tenths in a single step.
• McLaren principal Andrea Stella expects Ferrari to remain the fastest car through the corners, while Mercedes still holds the single-lap edge when combining chassis and power unit performance.
• Stella was cautious about McLaren's prospects, stating the team remains focused on bringing further upgrades to address lingering weaknesses rather than expecting an immediate breakthrough this weekend.

What's next:

If Mercedes can keep its reliability in check, it likely remains the benchmark. But if Red Bull's upgrade delivers and Verstappen maximizes home advantage, Austria could mark a significant shift in the 2026 title fight at a circuit where updates traditionally make a noticeable difference.