Marko predicts a return to F1 for Perez with Cadillac.

      "If he has overcome the pressure from Verstappen."

      Mercedes could potentially enter the new regulations era starting in 2026 with an advantage, acknowledges Dr. Helmut Marko. Team principal Christian Horner has refuted suggestions that discussions about postponing the new era and a shift towards V10 engines stem from concerns that Red Bull’s power unit project for the upcoming era is falling behind. "It will be a significant transformation," Marko stated in an interview with Kleine Zeitung. "Mercedes has already positioned itself as the favorite, but there won't be substantial differences in the combustion engine aspect," he added. "We are on the right path, aided partly by Ford, and we anticipate having a maximum of five kW less, which is perfectly acceptable at this stage.

      "The critical issue is the battery," the 81-year-old Austrian continued. "What is the cooling method? How quickly does it charge? How swiftly can the energy be transferred into the car? It's all dependent on the software, and it’s possible that someone could be significantly ahead in this domain.

      "But we have strong personnel, many of whom are from Mercedes, and we’ve acquired the essential equipment from AVL. However, no one really knows the exact standings," Marko mentioned.

      A notable change in 2026 is the introduction of a completely new team - Cadillac. Although there was considerable resistance throughout the process, Marko remains at ease. "The entry of one of the world’s largest automakers with such a storied brand into Formula 1 is always beneficial," he said. "When I was younger, Cadillac was the car of dreams, and now they aim to reestablish themselves. They might even find immediate success since General Motors has a stake in Ferrari, and they (Cadillac) will be using Ferrari engines. The intriguing part will be how they balance the differences between their facilities - the engine factory in North Carolina and the team base in England."

      Sergio Perez, the driver Red Bull replaced at the end of last season, is currently being strongly considered for a seat with Cadillac. "If he has indeed moved past the pressure of Verstappen and is highly motivated, then yes," Marko responded when questioned about the possibility of the Mexican returning competitively to F1. "He is extremely popular in Latin America, which is another factor to consider. I recently spoke to him on the phone, and he seems to be in good spirits and enjoying life. They will likely need an experienced driver."