As the anticipation builds for the commencement of the 2025 Formula 1 season, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has shared some insights that might shake up the expectations of the fans. It appears that Red Bull might trail McLaren by “two to three-tenths”, suggesting an intriguing season opener in Australia.
The paddock buzz suggests that McLaren, with their MCL39, might be the team to beat this season. Despite ranking behind its rivals on the timesheets, McLaren’s Lando Norris turned heads with an impressive race simulation. Consequently, the reigning champions are being tipped as the season’s frontrunners.
Red Bull, on the other hand, has admitted that their progress has not been as substantial as they had initially hoped. Despite tackling the issues they faced with the RB21 in 2024, Marko acknowledges that McLaren currently holds the upper hand.
Marko predicts a thrilling four-way contest between McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull. “McLaren already has a head start, in both short and long runs. They are clearly the current favourites,” he admitted in an interview with Sport.de.
Norris’s remarkable performance during the headline race run did occur under unusual temperatures, which are not expected to be replicated in Bahrain. However, Marko emphasized that McLaren still maintained a competitive edge even during more typical conditions on the final day.
The precise gap between Red Bull and McLaren is difficult to quantify due to the varying weather conditions, according to Marko. Despite matching McLaren’s performance on Wednesday, Red Bull found themselves lagging by “two to three-tenths” during the long run on Friday.
Marko also conceded that McLaren seemed to have a better handle on tyre wear. “Their tyre wear was significantly better than our data indicated. McLaren is undoubtedly the favourite with this car,” he asserted.
Max Verstappen, the four-time defending champion, appears to be tempering expectations as he goes in pursuit of his fifth consecutive title. He is not expecting Red Bull to come out on top at Albert Park, where he clinched victory in 2023.
Verstappen remains focused on continued improvement. “We just keep on working and trying to improve. It’s very difficult to tell where everyone’s pace is. There is some work to do for us,” he stated.
As the teams gear up for the upcoming F1 season, it’s clear that Red Bull recognizes the formidable challenge they face from McLaren. Whether they can close this gap, and how the competition unfolds, will make for an exciting watch for all F1 enthusiasts.
