Red Bull's 2024 F1 problems solved by more predictable…

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has said Formula 1's first winter test day in Bahrain offered promising clues that the team may have finally fixed its 2024 problems.

Last year's RB20 started off in dominant fashion in the hands of Max Verstappen, but it was gradually overhauled by McLaren and to a lesser extent Ferrari, while recurring balance problems hindered Verstappen and particularly his team-mate Sergio Perez, whose form was abysmal.

For this year's RB21, the Milton Keynes-based squad aimed to improve the car balance and its set-up window without compromising outright speed, having found a clearer direction from September's Italian Grand Prix to address the underlying problems.

Analysing early long-run data from Wednesday's first day of testing in Bahrain, Red Bull appeared to edge slightly ahead of McLaren, albeit with the usual caveats that accompany winter testing.

But when quizzed by Motorsport.com after Wednesday's running, Marko said the team had been encouraged by how well the RB21 performed on its maiden voyage.

"The long runs were really competitive; it was the fastest," he said. "The car is more predictable and reacts to the changes in the normal way. So, all the problems we had last year, I believe they are much better, or maybe they are also sorted.

Helmut Marko, Consultant, Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner, Team Principal, Red Bull Racing (Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images)

"Max says the car is more complex and is more put together, and whatever they do on changes, the car is reacting in the right way.

“On his fastest lap, he had a little problem, so it could have been [quicker]. But anyway, we say that long runs were really impressive and our tyre wear was very good. The car has the wider range and is more predictable for the drivers."

When asked if other teams had stood out to him, he replied: "McLaren was also very consistent and fast. Same with Mercedes. We expected more from Ferrari, but there are two more days, so we'll see."

Marko also reckons Verstappen's new team-mate Liam Lawson has made a bright start to life at Red Bull's A-team, though the New Zealander's side of the garage is still exploring how to get the most out of the medium tyres.

"He did a good job," Marko added. "He just couldn't gain when he changed from hard to medium.

“We also changed something on the car, which didn't work, and he said it was the wrong decision. So, everybody was gaining three to five tenths, and he just gained one tenth."