The 2025 Formula 1 season is about to begin and Red Bull chief advisor Helmut Marko is already taking aim at some of his team’s main rivals.
Red Bull are hoping that Max Verstappen can win a fifth consecutive drivers’ championship after expertly seeing off the challenge of Lando Norris last year.
He’s been joined by Liam Lawson this season with the New Zealander challenged to achieve what Sergio Perez couldn’t in 2024 and score enough points to win Red Bull the constructors’ title.
Although all 20 drivers have yet to take part in a competitive session ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, pre-season testing gave everyone an inkling as to how the start of the season could play out.
McLaren appear to be the pre-season favourites with Red Bull part of the trio of teams hoping to chase them down.
Mercedes and Ferrari made significant updates to their cars over the winter and while there were encouraging signs from both outfits, neither could match Lando Norris’ race simulation pace in Bahrain.
Helmut Marko was speaking to Auto Motor und Sport ahead of the season opener and gave his verdict on each of the top teams.
He’s increasingly confident about his team’s chances, but has identified what he believes is a ‘significant’ issue with Mercedes’ 2025 car.
Helmut Marko thinks Mercedes are suffering from ‘significant’ tyre management issue
Marko was asked how Red Bull compare to Mercedes and Ferrari after testing and revealed: ”In our estimation, we’re ahead of both, both on a single lap and in the long runs.
“Mercedes, for example, has been notable for its significant tyre wear.
“The new nose of the Red Bull RB21 proved its worth during testing in Bahrain.”
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It was then put to Marko that Red Bull tried a new front wing and floor on the final day of testing.
When asked if these updates were successful, he explained: “The wing worked well, but the underbody didn’t.
“So, on the last day of testing, in the afternoon, we started putting the old floor back on the car in sections.
“And with this combination—new wing, old floor—it worked better.”
George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli were happy with the F1 W16 after testing and the Italian in particular turned heads with his performance.
Antonelli matched Charles Leclerc’s race pace but the surface of the track in Bahrain is very different to what teams will experience in Melbourne.
George Russell feud with Max Verstappen set to continue after Qatar Grand Prix spat
After Verstappen wrapped up his fourth title last year he faced another challenge in the form of Russell at the Qatar Grand Prix.
A feud between Verstappen and Russell blew up after accusations were made about their conduct in the steward’s room following a near collision during qualifying.
After testing, there’s a good chance that the pair will be very close to each other on track this season.
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Verstappen may be pleased to hear that he can push Russell harder on his tyres based on the information that Marko has seen from testing.
However, the pushing may end up being more tangible than both of their teams would like if things continue to escalate behind the scenes.
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