Marko the prophet predicts how many races Red Bull will win

©RedBull

Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko has looked into his crystal ball and seen a prosperous 2019 season for his main team, with race wins and a shot at the championship.

For the first time since 2006, Red Bull Racing will be powered by a different manufacturer than Renault, the Milton Keynes-based outfit having switched its allegiance to Honda.

The Japanese manufacturer has made great strides over the winter with its V6 Hybrid engine, building on the progress it enjoyed last season, during its 'proof of concept' year with Toro Rosso.

Red Bull embracing Honda partnership with 'huge enthusiasm'

Solid engine reliability and good performance, coupled with the genius of designer Adrian Newey - and the efficiency of his latest creation, RB15 - has convinced Marko that Red Bull will be a genuine contender for top spoils this year.

"We will win at least five races", forecasts the good Dr. Marko in an interview with Germany's Motorsport Magazin.

That feat was last achieved by the team in 2013, courtesy of Sebastian Vettel and his 13 race wins, while the team brought home four wins in 2018.

"I believe we also have a chance at the world championship," said the confident Marko, who added that Red Bull - based on the outcome of pre-season testing - was currently behind Ferrari but in front of Mercedes.

©RedBull

However, the Austrian played down Red Bull's immediate potential for success, revealing that Pierre Gasly's couple of crashes in Barcelona had deprived the team of the opportunity to test new parts scheduled to be part of an RB15 update for Melbourne.

Marko was happy overall with Red Bull's preparations in Spain but clearly irritated by Gasly's mishaps and their subsequent consequences.

"Especially the second crash was completely unnecessary," he said. "It threw our entire test programme overboard. Gasly must show more discipline!

"We ran out of spares, so Verstappen could hardly drive on the last day.

"We couldn't test the parts in the complete package, so of course we're not sure [if they work]."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.