Dr. Helmut Marko concedes that achieving "perhaps a podium" could be Red Bull's most attainable objective for the Baku Grand Prix.
Despite circulating rumors about the team introducing a significant new floor design for the Azerbaijan circuit, Red Bull's leading F1 strategist clarifies that no substantial modifications are planned for Baku.
"Unless a miracle happens, we don't expect any improvement at the next two tracks in Baku and Singapore because both tracks have exceptional characteristics," Marko conveyed to Auto Bild.
A major improvement to the struggling car is scheduled for Austin next month.
"Right now it's all about finding solutions for that," remarked Max Verstappen, alluding to ongoing and persistent car handling issues.
"Although I know that this won't happen in one or two weeks' time."
The current championship leader has not earmarked the United States Grand Prix in Austin on his calendar for a guaranteed fix.
"It depends on how things go here and in Singapore, and how quickly we can react if we find something," Verstappen commented during Thursday's media sessions in Baku.
He also expressed skepticism that adopting a McLaren and Mercedes-style flexible front wing would provide significant benefits. "I don't think this is our biggest problem at the moment," the 26-year-old driver stated.
"The problem we have with our car is something that develops over a long period of time - it gets worse and worse. This has been going on for a while now."
Conversely, Sergio Perez remains more hopeful, sharing that the car's handling for both Baku and Singapore showed "a lot better" performance in last week's simulator tests at the factory.
The Mexican driver, renowned for his expertise on street circuits, was a key reason for his continued position, Marko revealed to Kleine Zeitung newspaper.
"He is a specialist for such street circuits and I hope that he will find his old strength here."
Even with Verstappen and Perez performing at their potential peak, Marko remains doubtful about the feasibility of overtaking McLaren ahead of the chequered flag on Sunday. "If things go well for us, perhaps a podium is possible," the Austrian added.
"We finally have to find the balance with the car, which is especially important here with hardly any run-off areas," Marko explained. "It should be better than in Monza, but real progress will only be made in Austin."
Nonetheless, he does not anticipate Verstappen losing his composure should he fail to secure a win on Sunday, marking the seventh consecutive Grand Prix weekend without a victory for the Dutchman.
"No," Marko responded, "because he has seen that people are listening to him now and that the problems are being taken seriously."
"But at the moment, the setup of the car is still a bit of a lottery, especially for Baku and Singapore. We have created a car that reacts extremely sensitively to the smallest changes."
