Marko puts his money on Vettel in title fight

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Helmut Marko is banking on Sebastian Vettel to defeat Lewis Hamilton this year and conquer his fifth world championship title.

The Red Bull boss believes his former protégé will come back even stronger from F1's summer break which ends next week at Spa and deliver the goods in the second half of the season.

"I believe in Vettel, because I know his mental strength – and Ferrari has raised its game," Marko said in a Q&A with Formula1.com.

"Silverstone, I would say, was an exception – Ferrari was clearly the stronger car in the first half of the season and only due to various circumstances could they not materialize all their chances."

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Marko knows all too well Vettel's strength of character, believing no task is insurmountable for the man that won four world championship titles with Red Bull Racing.

"What is fact is that we have been 60 points behind before the summer break – and still won the title with him," added the Austrian.

"Seb will use this summer break to come back even stronger. That’s how I know him."

Strong performance after a summer break is indeed one of Vettel's fortes.

Back in 2013, when the action resumed at Spa after a three-week hiatus, he embarked on a clean sweep, winning all remaining nine races of the season to conquer his fourth title.

Strong opposition from the Mercedes camp will likely prevent such a dominant end-of-season run however.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.