P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Helmut Marko has made it clear Red Bull has work to do following pre-season testing if it is to become a title contender this season.
Helmut Marko stated that Red Bull is in for a tough battle this season, as McLaren has been labeled as favorites after pre-season testing. During testing at Bahrain International Circuit, Red Bull faced challenges with the RB21, limiting track time for Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson. Marko sees McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull as the key contenders for the championship, with McLaren showing strong performance in both short and long runs. Despite Red Bull making progress with the RB21, Marko believes McLaren is currently ahead in terms of performance and tire wear. Red Bull experimented with new parts during testing, with some successes and some setbacks, providing optimism for future improvements and developments in the car. Marko acknowledges the need for further progress to close the gap to McLaren and other top teams.
