As the 2025 Australian Grand Prix looms ahead, Red Bull faces a challenging weekend with their team principal, Helmut Marko, voicing concerns over their racing pace. The team’s prospects at Albert Park appear bleak following a less-than-stellar show on Friday in Melbourne.
Despite coming to the event armed with a host of enhancements, including a new floor, drivers Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson found no respite in a car that continued to prove difficult to manage. The team arrived at Albert Park chasing answers after a tumultuous winter triggered by an inconsistent pre-season test in Bahrain. But, the answers seemed elusive as Verstappen barely scraped through at 7th in FP2, while newcomer Lawson grappled at 17th.
The Red Bull team found themselves lagging behind their adversaries Ferrari, McLaren, and even Racing Bulls, with Verstappen trailing Charles Leclerc’s leading stint by over six-tenths of a second. He was also outperformed by Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar.
In a conversation with Sky Sports Deutschland, Marko acknowledged the team’s ongoing struggle with balance issues. He also lamented the unsuccessful tweaks they made after the first practice session.
“The car was oscillating between understeer and oversteer, which inevitably impacts long-term tire wear,” Marko explained, adding, “We’re not leading the pack but, under usual circumstances, a podium finish is the best we can hope for.”
Verstappen, renowned for his ability to handle challenging cars, echoed Marko’s sentiments, acknowledging a lack of grip that led to the vehicle skidding unpredictably at crucial corners.
In light of these speed impediments, Marko proposed that the team’s best hope now rests on the impending rain scheduled for Sunday, which could provide Verstappen an opportunity to showcase his exceptional skill.
“McLaren seems to be the team to beat at the moment, with Ferrari, Mercedes, and us locked in a close battle for positions three to five. However, if it rains, the ‘Max factor’ could turn the game around,” Marko speculated.
Meanwhile, Verstappen’s teammate, Liam Lawson, is still finding his footing at the top level. Despite ending both practice sessions far behind, Marko defended Lawson’s performance, comparing him to Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is also debuting at Albert Park. Marko acknowledged Lawson’s potential, stating, “there’s definitely more to come from him.”
However, the impressive pace of McLaren and a resurgent Ferrari has pushed Red Bull into a defensive position. Unless significant enhancements are made overnight, Verstappen may have to bank on erratic weather conditions and his extraordinary talent to secure a commendable position.
As Saturday’s final practice session approaches, it will be a key determinant of whether the reigning champion can close the gap or if Red Bull will have to battle from a disadvantageous position once the race commences on Sunday. The team’s prospects seem uncertain, but the question remains – is there a silver lining on the horizon for Red Bull?
