Helmut Marko is not sure Red Bull will catch up its early-season deficit in 2014, after a disastrous start to its latest title defence. Speaking to Red Bull's in-house Servus TV network, the always-blunt Austrian admitted the reigning world champion team is months behind its rivals. "The season opener is coming at least two months too early for us," Marko said on the Sport und Talk programme. "We are not where we should be."
He said the biggest problem is that in the 12 days of pre-Melbourne testing in Spain and Bahrain, Red Bull turned significantly fewer laps than any other traditional rival. "This is a very, very serious thing," said Marko. "At the moment we do not know what (time) period we will need to catch up, or whether we will at all," he admitted.
However, it may not be all bad for Red Bull, as even pacesetters Mercedes are expecting reliability - not speed - to be perhaps the most important factor next weekend in Australia. "I believe that half the field will not finish," said team chairman Niki Lauda, "simply because there has not been the opportunity for enough testing."
But, unfortunately for Red Bull, the Renault-powered RB10 is not just unreliable. "The Red Bull does not look good," an experienced source, trackside in Bahrain last week, was quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. "Nothing seemed right -- the coordination of engine, gears and setup did not fit together. Sebastian (Vettel) was always sliding and spinning his wheels, while the Williams was like on rails," he added.
The car is also significantly slower in a straight line than its Ferrari and Mercedes-powered rivals, and Renault is taking some of the blame for that. "Melbourne will be an anxious weekend," admitted technical boss Rob White. "I hope we can support our teams and drivers to explore the performance of the car and allow the race to deliver its sporting verdict." (GMM)
Marko not sure how long it will take Red Bull to catch up
- Published on 04 Mar 2014 09:44
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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L. Hamilton
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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Feb 11
L. Norris
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C. Leclerc
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Feb 13
A. Antonelli
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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Feb 18
G. Russell
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A. Antonelli
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C. Leclerc
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
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Spain
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Bahrain
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Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
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Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom
Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
21 - Aug 23
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
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