Helmut Marko predicts one factor could yet return Mercedes to front of F1 pack this season

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko says that if Mercedes can solve their porpoising problems, they will be back up at the front of the field in Formula 1.

The 2022 season is well underway with race three taking place this weekend in Melbourne as the Australian Grand Prix returns to the calendar.

It’s a track that has seen several Mercedes wins in the recent past, too, thanks to their dominance in the turbo-hybrid era but, this weekend, they’ll be going some to get victory.

The W13, ultimately, just isn’t as quick as the Ferrari or Red Bull car at the moment and the Silver Arrows seem to be struggling with porpoising – where the car bounces up and down off of the tarmac at high speed – more than most.

Indeed, it’s something they need to get on top of as it’s upsetting the balance of their car but Helmut Marko believes if they can sort it, they’ll be able to renew their rivalry with Red Bull up at the front of the field in no time at all.

Speaking to Formel1.de, Marko was asked if Mercede’s struggles were like the ones Red Bull had after 2013, and this is what he said:

“You have to distinguish between the two cases.

“The post-2013 era coincided with the new engine rules and Mercedes had incredible dominance at that stage. They were up to two seconds ahead of everyone, but logically they didn’t show it.

“Now, with the change of chassis and engine, the differences are not so big. Mercedes can no longer click and suddenly it’s a party for them.

“But the team are very well positioned and also have some really important people in the chassis area.

“I’m completely convinced they will come back if they control the ‘porpoising’. And Lewis Hamilton is nine points behind [Max] Verstappen, so that’s nothing either.

“I don’t think it’s