Dr Helmut Marko hails step forward after Bernie Ecclestone exit

Dr Helmut Marko looks on in the garage during practice for the Austria Grand Prix at Red Bull Ring on June 19, 2015
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Dr Helmut Marko hails a step forward for Formula 1 in the wake of Bernie Ecclestone's departure.

Dr Helmut Marko has hailed a step forward for Formula 1 in the wake of Bernie Ecclestone's departure.

During the Spanish Grand Prix, a distraught young Ferrari fan was plucked out of the grandstand by Formula 1 Management staff so that he could meet Kimi Raikkonen and get a signed cap and once-in-a-lifetime paddock visit.

"I don't know if something like that was possible under the old management," Chase Carey, who replaced the ousted long-time F1 supremo Ecclestone, is quoted as saying by Auto Motor und Sport.

Also in Barcelona, among other new fan-friendly initiatives, there was a F1-branded white two-seater Minardi doing laps all weekend.

"There are new ideas from race to race," said Red Bull official Marko.

"[Red Bull] have often had ideas that were not supported, but it's no longer about things imposed from above, but a cooperation to make the whole event more attractive."

It is of particular interest to Red Bull, as the energy drink company is not only a team owner but the actual race promoter of the Austrian Grand Prix.

Marko said that he has been in contact about the Red Bull Ring's 2017 race with new commercial boss Sean Bratches.

"We presented him with a list of ideas and within an hour all 10 points were agreed," Marko said.

"It is a different atmosphere and mood, but at the same time there are also very intensive talks about new regulations on the technical side, the engine side, and the finance side."

Red Bull currently sit third in the constructors' standings.

Carlos Sainz of Toro Rosso during previews to the Formula One Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on April 14, 2016
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TeamPoints
1Mercedes161
2Ferrari153
3Red Bull72
4Force India53
5Toro Rosso21
6Williams-Mercedes18
7Renault14
8Haas9
9Sauber4
10McLaren0
DriversTeamPoints
1Sebastian VettelFerrari104
2Lewis HamiltonMercedes98
3Valtteri BottasMercedes63
4Kimi RaikkonenFerrari49
5Daniel RicciardoRed Bull37
6Max VerstappenRed Bull35
7Sergio PerezForce India34
8Esteban OconForce India19
9Felipe MassaWilliams-Mercedes18
10Carlos SainzToro Rosso17
11Nico HulkenbergRenault14
12Romain GrosjeanHaas5
13Kevin MagnussenHaas4
14Pascal WehrleinSauber4
15Daniil KvyatToro Rosso4
16Lance StrollWilliams-Mercedes0
17Marcus EricssonSauber0
18Jolyon PalmerRenault0
19Stoffel VandoorneMcLaren0
20Fernando AlonsoMcLaren0
21Antonio GiovinazziSauber0