Red Bull: Ferrari pushed to show they're not cheating

Dr Helmut Marko believes Ferrari have put full power down from the very start of the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend in a bid to prove they are not flouting engine regulations.

Ferrari's fearsome pace since a summertime engine upgrade has turned heads among their rivals, as well as helping the Scuderia secure six straight pole positions between Belgium and Mexico.

Although Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel have not managed to convert them all into victories, the likes of Red Bull and Mercedes have clearly been rattled.

When Ferrari's pace dropped off at the United States GP, Max Verstappen said: "That's what happens when you stop cheating."

Verstappen was likely discussing a technical directive issued ahead of the Austin race, seen as an attempt to get to the bottom of Ferrari's advantage.

Another TD was issued before the Brazilian GP, but Ferrari were unaffected, ending Friday practice fastest of all.

Marko believes Vettel and Leclerc may have pushed harder in a bid to show that the TD had not impacted their power.

The Austrian told Auto Motor und Sport: "If I were Ferrari, I would do everything in my power to drive away from the others on the straight, otherwise, everyone believes that they are cheating.

"It will be interesting to see what it will be like [in qualifying]."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

FIA announces circuit configuration for Italian Grand Prix at Monza and it could help Ferrari

• 2 hours ago

Toto Wolff opens up on the horrific crash that ended his professional racing career

• 2 hours ago

Aston Martin F1 insider admits uncertainty over Fernando Alonso future

• 3 hours ago

New F1 track ramps up security as theft hits circuit just days before first race

• Yesterday 19:50

Nike 'in talks' with F1 over entering sport

• Yesterday 18:45

Ferrari's Monza tricks revealed to power Lewis Hamilton to Italian Grand Prix win

• Yesterday 17:33