Marko takes a swipe at Ferrari after the first day of testing: “We expected more” – The anticipation leading up to the first day of F1 testing in Bahrain was immense. With all ten teams unveiling their 2025 contenders on track, it was the first real opportunity to gauge their competitiveness ahead of the upcoming season. While some of the expected storylines played out, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko was a little underwhelmed – particularly by Scuderia Ferrari.
The 2025 Formula One season was always going to be special, but one of the biggest storylines coming into testing was Lewis Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Ferrari. After more than a decade with Mercedes, the seven-time world champion made the bold decision to join the Scuderia in a bid for an eighth title, a move that sent shockwaves through the sport. The announcement had been made almost a year earlier, but as he finally donned the red overalls in an official capacity, the pressure and expectation surrounding him had never been greater.
Fans around the world were eager to see how Hamilton would perform in Ferrari red, with many believing he had the ability to restore the Prancing Horse to its former glory. Marko seems quick to pour water on this particular hype bonfire already.
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Ferrari hype justified?
Adding to the anticipation was the belief that Ferrari had finally built a car capable of challenging right from the start. The Italian media, notoriously critical of Ferrari, were unusually upbeat, suggesting that the new car – developed with Hamilton in mind, and a revamped technical team – would be quick straight from the box.
Reports pointed to improved aerodynamics, better tyre management and a power unit that was expected to be one of the most competitive on the grid.
This heightened expectation meant that all eyes were on Ferrari as testing got underway in Bahrain. Fans were eager to see if the hype was justified and if Hamilton could make an immediate impact. Would the new SF-25 be the car that finally ended Red Bull’s dominance?
Would Hamilton’s presence be the missing ingredient Ferrari needed? With so much excitement surrounding the team, the first laps of the test carried more weight than usual. But when the dust settled after the first day, the reality did not quite match the pre-season optimism, at least in the eyes of Red Bull’s Helmut Marko.
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First impressions from Bahrain: A tricky day of testing
The first day of pre-season testing in Bahrain was anything but straightforward. Strong winds, scattered showers and cooler than usual temperatures made it difficult to draw any clear conclusions about the true pecking order. Lap times were hardly representative, with teams concentrating on gathering valuable data rather than chasing pure speed.
Despite the challenging conditions, there was a general sense of satisfaction in the paddock. Teams were able to run their planned programmes without major disruption, laying the foundations for deeper analysis in the coming days.
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Encouraging start for Red Bull with the RB21
Among the teams pleased with their opening day was Red Bull Racing. Their newly developed RB21 appeared to handle much better than its predecessor, a welcome improvement after the team struggled with balance and tyre management in the second half of the 2024 season.
Helmut Marko, known for his frank assessments, was particularly upbeat about the car’s progress. “Last year’s problems have been solved,” he said confidently after the session. His words suggested that Red Bull’s engineering team had successfully addressed the shortcomings that emerged towards the end of their dominant campaign.
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Marko’s verdict on the competition including Ferrari
While Red Bull were happy with their opening day performance, Marko was keeping a close eye on the competition. Among the teams that impressed him, McLaren stood out. “They were very consistent and fast,” he observed, suggesting that the Woking-based outfit could be a serious threat this season.
He also paid tribute to Mercedes, saying they had made a positive impression on him and hinting at possible improvements from the Brackley-based team after a difficult few years.
When it came to Ferrari, however, Marko’s tone changed. “We expected more,” he admitted, taking a mocking jab at the Scuderia’s performance.
Although he did not elaborate on specific weaknesses, his comments implied that Ferrari had not lived up to expectations on day one. However, he did admit that it was still early days.
“It’s too early to make a final judgement,” he admitted, leaving room for the Italian outfit to improve in the coming sessions.
Verstappen’s take on Red Bull’s progress
Max Verstappen, who was at the wheel of the RB21 for most of day one, echoed Marko’s sentiments. The Dutchman was pleased with the performance of the new car and insisted that everything is working as expected.
“We can’t say anything about our pace yet, but everything is working perfectly and the car is responding the way I want it to,” said the reigning World Champion. “Everything is under control. That’s what you can hope for at the beginning of the test”.
His calm and collected reaction suggested that Red Bull were exactly where they wanted to be at this stage – comfortable, confident and ready to fine-tune their package over the next two days of testing.
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Looking ahead to the rest of the test
With only one day in the books, the true competitive picture remains unclear. Teams are expected to step up their performance runs as the test continues, giving a clearer indication of where each outfit stands heading into the first race of the season.
For Ferrari, Marko’s comments could serve as an extra incentive to show more promising form in the coming days. Whether the Scuderia are holding back or really struggling remains to be seen, but all eyes will be on them to see if they can dispel any early doubts.
As testing continues, fans will be able to follow the latest developments in real time, with live coverage providing insights into lap times, reliability and team strategies. The battle lines for the 2025 Formula One season are just beginning to take shape, and the coming days in Bahrain will provide further clues as to what to expect when the lights go out for the first race of the year.
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