Red Bull sports advisor Helmut Marko has given an estimate of the best standings ahead of the 2024 season. After pre-season testing, teams and spectators alike are working to decipher where everyone is.
This is a tough one to practice – as this is an annual phenomenon in the world of Formula 1. However, the enthusiasm for predicting the progress made by the teams over the winter has not waned.
As it stands, Red Bull is the favorite. Everything points to the fact that they maintained their advantage during the winter break. The question is how big the deficit has become – and which teams will be their closest challengers.
Ferrari impressed the paddock during three days of testing in Bahrain, both in qualifying and in race simulations.
The handling of the SF-24 tires is perhaps the most critical revelation, considering that this has been their weakness in recent seasons.
A relatively difficult team to place is Mercedes, who kept a relatively low profile during the three-day drive at the Sakhir circuit.
With that said, the advisor to the reigning champions gave a refreshingly honest analysis of where W15 lie in the standings.
“In terms of tire performance, Ferrari seems to have more problems than us again. McLaren also seems a bit nervous,” said Marko.
“As for Mercedes, I’m not sure about their approach. They are definitely faster than what they showed us,” claimed the Austrian.
“However, we can maintain our confidence,” added Helmut Marko.
