Feedback from Verstappen prompts enthusiastic Marko in Bahrain
F1 News
The feeling at Red Bull Racing is good after the first day of the winter test. Helmut Marko was positive to GPblog.com, but still mentioned McLaren as the team that, like last year, looks very strong.
''The longruns were very competitive. Those were the fastest (of everyone). The car is more predictable and reacts in a normal way. All the problems we had last year, I think they are much better now or at least fixed,'' Marko stated after the first day of testing in Bahrain.
In Bahrain, some looked at the RB21 with a magnifying glass, because what is really new about this car? According to Christian Horner, those new things cannot be seen by outsiders and would therefore be on the floor. Marko, however, seemed to hint at updates in Australia after the first day of testing.
''It's not the first race,'' Marko indeed stated about the current version of the RB21. When the Austrian was asked about new parts for Melbourne, Marko said: ''Maybe.''
How Verstappen reacted after the first day of testing in Bahrain
The conditions in Bahrain clearly played a role. It was cold in Bahrain, with a lot of wind. Conditions that do not normally occur on a race weekend in Bahrain. ''I think in the beginning in the morning, the wind was more trickier, especially yesterday. The wind was really tricky. But that's testing. However, it is much colder, so maybe that is why Mercedes is so fast.''
Although Red Bull is working on its own programme, it has been watching the competition. For now, the top teams look the same as in 2024, but it is still only testing.
''McLaren was very consistent and also very fast. As was Mercedes. Ferrari was a little disappointing because we expected more from them. However, there are still two more (test) days, so we will see.''
Max Verstappen's feedback, after he drove around the track for more than a race length in the afternoon, was also positive, according to Marko. ''Good. He says the car is better put together. When they make changes, the car responds in the right way. During his fastest lap, he had a small wobble. However, the longruns we saw were very impressive.''
Overall, Red Bull Racing can therefore be very satisfied after the first day in Bahrain, according to Marko. The goals set, to make the car faster and more predictable, have all been achieved. On to day two, where only Liam Lawson will be in action for Red Bull Racing.