From GMM
According to Dr Helmut Marko, German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz is resisting efforts to create parity in engine performance within Formula 1.
Motor sport consultant at Red Bull Racing, Marko and the team’s representatives are still pushing for clearance to have its Renault engines brought up to speed amid F1's current development freeze.
"It's frustrating," Dr Marko said in an interview with Austria's laola1.at.
"Renault is losing about three tenths of a second per lap, but so far there is no green light (for parity).
"First we would need an agreement within FOTA, but so far Mercedes is resisting," added Marko.
Dr Marko added that the Scuderia Toro Rosso's current drivers cannot relax even if they have been confirmed for the 2011 season.
There have been mixed messages from Toro Rosso recently: boss Franz Tost insisting that the drivers are staying put, but Red Bull-contracted pair Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi sounding less bullish about their future.
"The drivers must confirm themselves and develop," Marko said.
"Of course, moves like when Alguersuari crashed into the back of Buemi should not happen.
"At the moment it is looking good (for them), but with Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne, we have two very fast juniors," added Marko.
He indicated that Ricciardo and Vergne could expect to get some F1 laps under their belts at the post Abu-Dhabi young driver test.
According to Dr Helmut Marko, German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz is resisting efforts to create parity in engine performance within Formula 1.
Motor sport consultant at Red Bull Racing, Marko and the team’s representatives are still pushing for clearance to have its Renault engines brought up to speed amid F1's current development freeze.
"It's frustrating," Dr Marko said in an interview with Austria's laola1.at.
"Renault is losing about three tenths of a second per lap, but so far there is no green light (for parity).
"First we would need an agreement within FOTA, but so far Mercedes is resisting," added Marko.
Dr Marko added that the Scuderia Toro Rosso's current drivers cannot relax even if they have been confirmed for the 2011 season.
There have been mixed messages from Toro Rosso recently: boss Franz Tost insisting that the drivers are staying put, but Red Bull-contracted pair Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi sounding less bullish about their future.
"The drivers must confirm themselves and develop," Marko said.
"Of course, moves like when Alguersuari crashed into the back of Buemi should not happen.
"At the moment it is looking good (for them), but with Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne, we have two very fast juniors," added Marko.
He indicated that Ricciardo and Vergne could expect to get some F1 laps under their belts at the post Abu-Dhabi young driver test.