Marko: Red Bull has already given up on the constructors' title

Red Bull's dominance in Formula 1 has hit a significant roadblock following a disastrous Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The team not only surrendered their lead in the Constructors' Championship but also suffered a major setback in their development plans for the RB20.

From dominance to disappointment

Despite introducing a new floor and showing promise in Friday's practice session, Red Bull's weekend quickly unraveled.

Max Verstappen struggled with bouncing issues in qualifying and could only manage a fifth-place finish in the race.

The team's woes were compounded when Sergio Perez crashed out while battling for a podium position with Carlos Sainz on the penultimate lap.

Red Bull's motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, didn't mince words when assessing the situation.

"To be honest, yes,"

he told Sky Deutschland when asked if he'd given up on the teams' trophy. This stark admission underlines the gravity of Red Bull's current predicament.

McLaren's ascendancy and Ferrari's threat

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix saw McLaren capitalize on Red Bull's struggles, with Oscar Piastri claiming victory and Lando Norris finishing fourth.

This strong performance has propelled McLaren to the top of the Constructors' standings, leaving Red Bull trailing by 20 points.

Adding to Red Bull's concerns, Ferrari sits just 31 points behind them.

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher offered a sobering assessment:

"I think that Red Bull will finish third at most in the teams' standings if things continue like this. Ferrari has a good car. It will be tight for Red Bull to hold on to second place."

Development setback

Perhaps the most significant consequence of the Baku weekend is the impact on Red Bull's development plans.

Perez's crash has forced the team to postpone crucial tests planned for the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix.

"It's a massive setback for us,"

Marko lamented.

"We'll certainly be able to get the car ready, but not in the form we planned. The test we had planned for Singapore is now no longer possible."

This delay in testing new components could have far-reaching implications for Red Bull's performance in the latter part of the season, particularly at tracks where they've historically struggled with their ground-effect aerodynamic car.

Silver linings and championship outlook

Despite the team's struggles, there are some positives for Red Bull to cling to.

The close competition between McLaren's drivers could work in their favor.

"The positive thing is that Piastri is very close to Lando in terms of points,"

Marko noted.

"So whether it's a team or a papaya order, there won't be any clarity any time soon."

In the Drivers' Championship, Verstappen still holds a comfortable 59-point lead over Norris, with 206 points still up for grabs.

This buffer provides some reassurance for Red Bull, even as they grapple with their unexpected slump in form.