A flash of brilliance

Lewis Hamilton’s pole position for the Sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix—set to start at 4:00 AM Central European Standard Time—made headlines worldwide, as it marked the first major achievement of the British champion with Ferrari. While Sprint qualifying does not award points, it certainly serves as a strong introduction for Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari fans, who were left disoriented after the disappointing race in Australia.

Helmut Marko praises Lewis Hamilton

Among those congratulating Lewis Hamilton was Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s advisor, in an interview with Motorsport.com: “I think they had an unfortunate event in Melbourne. But here in China, Ferrari has been strong since FP1. And congratulations to Lewis Hamilton for taking pole position in only his second race in red.”

Helmut Marko went on to express his admiration for Charles Leclerc’s talent: “Let’s not forget he’s up against an incredible qualifier like Leclerc. I mean, it’s an amazing result.”

The former Austrian driver concluded without making any predictions for the Sprint and the Grand Prix: “With this new asphalt, tire degradation will be lower. We’ll see who can maintain great speed over the race distance.”

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By now, it has become a true weekend ritual. Once again, at the conclusion of the Australian GP, Helmut Marko delivered a sharp jab at Ferrari’s strategy, which left the team defeated in the first race of the year.

The Maranello squad heads to China with many doubts about the SF-25 and only five points in the standings. Their haul could have been greater if the pit wall had taken a few more risks with strategy. Of course, commenting after the fact from the comfort of a couch is always easier, but watching live, it felt like Ferrari could have dared a bit more.

In the late-race chaos triggered by the return of rain at Albert Park, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc pitted later than their rivals. This decision forced the two Ferrari drivers to rejoin at the back of the grid, with a final push allowing them to salvage some points.

With both cars running close together, fans would have preferred that at least one of them pitted earlier, giving Ferrari a chance to fight for more than just eighth and tenth place.

The Good Old Helmut’s Jab Arrives
After the season opener, Helmut Marko wasted no time taking a swipe at Frederic Vasseur’s Ferrari. *”We are satisfied with Max’s second place given the uncertain conditions and our high tire degradation. Perhaps we could have called Verstappen into the pits one lap earlier. Even in that case, it would have been difficult to fight for the win,”* said Red Bull’s senior advisor.

“In the end, the decision we made was still the right one. At least we didn’t wait as long as Ferrari,” Helmut Marko added.

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Even from pre-season testing at the Bahrain circuit in Sakhir, it was clear that the Milton Keynes team had some areas to work on ahead of the Melbourne weekend. The first day of the Australian Grand Prix confirmed a certain gap between Red Bull and the McLaren-Ferrari duo, despite the fact that Helmut Marko remains confident in view of the rest of the Weekend.

What was surprising was that in the second free practice session, both Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson finished behind the Visa Cash App RB cars of Isack Hadjar and Yuki Tsunoda. “I’m not worried about that,” Helmut Marko stated. “It’s just a matter of running with the right fuel load and increasing the power,” the Red Bull advisor continued, confirming that the top teams are still holding back to some extent.

Helmut Marko’s Prediction After Free Practice
“The McLarens are the fastest, but Ferrari isn’t bad either, but they are fast especially with Charles Leclerc. Then it’s between us and Mercedes,” said Helmut Marko at the end of the second free practice session for the Australian Grand Prix, which was held earlier today at the 5.278-kilometre Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne – “As for us, we were more competitive in FP1. Then we changed some things, and the car became more nervous. We’re a bit behind, but we’ll work on adjusting the setup for qualifying,” the Red Bull advisor added.

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We say this for a reason: the Red Bull car set to debut in the 2025 Formula 1 championship is anything but perfect. On the contrary, it carries a few too many flaws. An interesting issue and one that Max Verstappen himself has confirmed several times during the pre-season testing session. But at least the Dutchman talks about the car and not about others. For the Austrian side the main concern is the curb-riding problems that the RB21 has inherited from its predecessor. Not good news for the former world champions, which should probably focus more on internal matters rather then making predictions about their opponents.

Helmut Marko is “super-endowed”. Just to avoid misunderstandings, we are referring to the size of his intellect. That intrinsic ability to see beyond the human barriers of knowledge. Our superhero, among other things, flaunts his superpowers by mocking the rest of the world. From the heights of his immense experience, he arrogates to himself the right to pass judgment every time he opens his mouth. A real phenomenon, one we hold dear. For some time now, he has even started transferring his infinite abilities to Red Bull’s chief executive officer and team principal.

He does this because, the day he decides to retire to his home town, far from Formula 1, a worthy heir to carry forward his vision will always be at the forefront. Joking aside, Helmut Marko is certain that Ferrari is the third force in the championship. Make sure to note down this news in advance because it comes straight from the future. Didn’t we tell you? Super Marko travels through time. Last week, he moved the clock forward a couple of months, and that was it. Lucky him. Who knows if one day this fortune will be ours too?

For the sake of accuracy, it must be said that his reasoning is, according to him, supported by valid arguments. This is because he has reviewed information gathered by Red Bull during testing, which has already placed the SF-25 as a car lagging behind, incapable of fighting at the top. At least four drivers will be faster. So, Ferrari fans, get ready: accept the idea that at the 5.278-kilometre Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne, finishing higher than fifth place will not be possible. That’s how it is for us, tough luck…

Helmut Marko is a pleasure no one can take from us. Not so much for the things he says, because after all, all the protagonists of Formula 1, some more than others, offer their own opinions. In his case, however, in addition to always being incredibly on point, at the top of his game as Flavio Briatore would say, what stands out is the extreme authority with which he points the finger, judges, and then gloats once his superpowers have been used. An octogenarian? Nonsense… He, the super consultant for Red Bull, outshines everyone.

Last month, he spoke about Charles Leclerc. He did so by labeling the Monegasque as an inconsistent driver. Too bad his analysis forgot to go through the points accumulated in the 2024 Formula 1 championship, where Charles Leclerc, data in hand, collected more points than anyone in the second half of the season. Meanwhile, by reviewing his overall results, we see that in every race he contested in the past season, the Ferrari driver always finished in the top 5.

However, be careful, because there is another issue at stake. Even Lewis Hamilton has ended up in the crystal ball, carefully and wisely caressed by the Red Bull motorsport executive. It seems that even the British driver has been the subject of a time travel by Helmut Marko. A temporal journey that revealed the future: the Brit will be crushed by Charles Leclerc. Essentially, the early retirement of the seven-time Formula 1 world champion is on the horizon. Fans of the Englishman, be patient, but it would be better to start getting the idea that the performance of the former Mercedes driver will never match that of his Maranello teammate.

Again, he tries to justify himself and argues that Lewis Hamilton’s overall experience in Formula 1 cannot surpass that of Charles Leclerc with Ferrari. Therefore, it is not going to work, Lewis Hamilton supporters. We are sorry, but there is nothing different we can assert here. To conclude: beyond the enjoyable amusement, great joy, and triumph in mocking Helmut Marko, we must thank the Austrian for the entertainment he provides us. One last thing: Uncle Helmut, maybe just every once in a while, just to show that you put in a bit of effort… think before you speak.

— see video above —

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Lewis Hamilton faced a challenging few years at Mercedes, rarely having race-winning machinery at his disposal, which may have contributed to what some saw as a dip in his performance levels. During the years when the Silver Arrows were competitive, Hamilton showed his true brilliance. One of his most memorable performances came at the British Grand Prix last year, where he ended a two-and-a-half-year winless streak in conditions that alternated between dry and wet.

While a poor performance in Las Vegas qualifying ruined any chance of victory there, Hamilton bounced back with a remarkable race. Starting from 10th on the grid, he surged through the pack to finish second, claiming the Driver of the Day award and joining his race-winning teammate George Russell on the podium.

George Russell, ahead of the new season, took pride in having beaten Hamilton and expressed his belief that he had proven his ability to win a world championship with the right equipment. However, it’s worth considering that George Russell, having come from Williams where points were scarce, might have been more accustomed to extracting the maximum from a car with limitations. In contrast, Hamilton had fought for titles across eight consecutive seasons, winning six times, and was used to battling at the front.

That said, George Russell’s performances last season were impressive, and he did manage to get more out of the car than his more experienced teammate in certain situations. Some have speculated that motivation could have played a role in Hamilton’s performance, with a former Mercedes engineer suggesting that Hamilton tends to “let himself down” when he feels a victory is out of reach.

Helmut Marko Discusses Hamilton’s Potential for Rapid Progress at Ferrari

In a recent interview with RTL/sport.de, Red Bull executive Helmut Marko weighed in on the upcoming rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at Ferrari. As both drivers prepare for their battle at the Australian Grand Prix, the Red Bull boss shared his thoughts on the Briton’s future with the Scuderia.

While Lewis Hamilton has expressed that he feels “reinvigorated” following his switch to Maranello, Helmut Marko remains cautious, expressing concern that the British driver’s motivation might falter if the transition doesn’t go as he envisions. There are rumors that Ferrari currently has the fourth-fastest car, though this remains speculative.

The 40-year-old British driver faces the challenge of adapting to a completely new environment, one where the Monegasque is already deeply established. However, Helmut Marko believes Lewis Hamilton is the kind of driver who has the ability to make rapid improvements, suggesting that despite the challenges ahead, Lewis Hamilton’s experience and skill could allow him to adapt quickly and challenge for victories once again. He stated that Hamilton moved to Ferrari by his own choice, seeking a new challenge, and believed that he would do everything possible to meet his expectations. However, he also mentioned that it was still early days. He added that while Hamilton has the ability to improve at an extraordinary level, there is also a possibility that if the circumstances don’t align and he feels there is no chance of winning, his motivation could decrease somewhat.

Ferrari Team Principal Issues Warning to Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc Ahead of 2025 Formula 1 Season

As Lewis Hamilton prepares for the 2025 Formula 1 season, he faces a challenging start, having completed one of the lowest lap counts during pre-season testing. On the final day of running, Ferrari encountered a technical issue that further limited Lewis Hamilton’s track time, leaving him at a disadvantage compared to his teammate, Charles Leclerc, who had a more comprehensive testing experience.

In addition to the limited testing in Bahrain, Hamilton has completed a shakedown with the SF-25 at Fiorano and spent time on the simulator, but the three days in Bahrain were the most crucial for his adaptation to Ferrari’s car. Given the circumstances, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Monegasque started the season with an edge over Hamilton, especially considering their differing preparation levels.

However, with a lengthy 24-race calendar ahead, Hamilton has plenty of time to recover from any early deficit and fight for his place at the front. The season is long, and the dynamic between the two Ferrari drivers will play a significant role in shaping the championship battle.

Both drivers are known for their clean and respectful racing, as demonstrated in their thrilling battle during last season’s Qatar Grand Prix Sprint, where they displayed sportsmanship despite their fierce rivalry. Nonetheless, Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, has issued a cautionary message to both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, urging them to be ‘careful’ and ensure that their rivalry pushes the team forward, rather than hindering its progress. The French manager emphasized that while competition within the team is natural, it’s crucial for both drivers to work together in a way that ultimately benefits Ferrari’s performance on track.

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Lando Norris in front, Max Verstappen chasing, Charles Leclerc behind with Mercedes—this is the F1 grid according to Helmut Marko, who overlooks Lewis Hamilton and the Ferrari SF-25. The Austrian is betting heavily on a duel between McLaren and Red Bull, despite the RB21 not shining in Bahrain testing. In his predictions, Maranello is possibly even behind their historic rivals from Brackley, awaiting confirmation from the Australian Grand Prix.

Just one more week, and words will no longer matter. The checkered flag in Melbourne, on the morning of March 16 for European fans, will deliver the first verdict of 2025. As of now, the outcome is completely uncertain: after Bahrain testing, little can be definitively said about the grid. Predictions, based solely on collected data, suggest a dominant MCL39. However, the other teams have been hiding their true pace.

One example is Ferrari, which ran with a rear wing unsuited to the Sakhir circuit. While it is true that the SF-25 has yet to fully satisfy both drivers and engineers, it is equally true that the potential to win exists. Ignoring this, Helmut Marko takes everything for granted: it will be a battle between Norris and Verstappen, while the others will pick up the scraps.

Helmut Marko: “McLaren is strong on any compound”

Speaking to *Auto Bild*, Helmut Marko shared his view: “Norris is ahead, behind him is Max, then Ferrari with Leclerc and Mercedes. The French team is certainly stronger than expected; they are still in good shape like last year. Right now, Alpine is the first team I would place behind the big four.” – he pointed out.

“McLaren is the favorite at the moment. In my opinion, it will be a three- or four-way battle between us, McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes. However, if we look at the test results, McLaren already has an advantage, both in qualifying pace and race pace.” – the Red Bull advisor believes.

“For us, Max is the obvious number one, but I don’t think Oscar Piastri would accept being a number two—it was already clear last year. On some tracks, he was on the same level or even faster than Lando. The advantage for McLaren is that they once again have a car that performs very well on any type of tire.” – he concluded.

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We haven’t even landed in Melbourne yet, and the traditional psychological games between teams have already begun. All the top experts in the field resist the temptation to express any judgment on the pecking order after just eight hours of testing. Helmut Marko, however, does not, choosing to downplay Ferrari’s work. The Maranello team is said to be disappointing compared to the potential whispered about on the eve of testing.

Indeed, the paddock has been filled with all sorts of rumors. According to a widely circulated gossip throughout the day, the SF-25 was already considered better than the new McLaren. From what we saw on track, we can neither confirm nor deny such an assumption—it is simply far, far too early to say.

Helmut Marko’s judgment on the Ferrari SF-25

At the end of a decidedly positive day for Red Bull, the Austrian super consultant made some interesting comments: “Our long runs were very competitive, they were the fastest [of all],” he explained to GPBlog. “The car is more predictable and reacts normally. All the problems we had last year, I believe, have now improved a lot or been resolved.”

“In the morning, at the start, the wind made driving more difficult, especially yesterday. The wind was really tricky. But these are just tests. However, it’s much colder, so maybe that’s why Mercedes is so fast. McLaren was also very consistent and very fast. Ferrari was a bit disappointing because we expected more from them. However, there are still two days of testing left, so we’ll see.”

Red Bull: Is a major upgrade package already ready?

Another rumor spreading in recent hours concerns a potential—and significant—upgrade package coming for Red Bull. According to Motorsport Magazin, as early as Friday, February 28, a completely revised RB21 should hit the track. This news would partly explain why the car looks so similar to last year’s RB20.

Everything remains to be confirmed, but undoubtedly, teams will focus most of their work in the early phase of the championship. With 2026 approaching, a significant portion of available resources will soon shift toward developing the new cars. Those fighting for the championship might face a decision that could also impact next season.

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This time, Ferrari appears to be in the Austrian’s sights. In an interview with Germany’s *Sport Bild*, Helmut Marko first criticized Maranello’s new signing, Lewis Hamilton, claiming he is no longer capable of maintaining his speed over an entire Formula 1 season. He then shared some negative remarks about Ferrari’s other star driver, Charles Leclerc.

Too Many Race Mistakes
The Monegasque – who won three Grands Prix last year and finished third in the championship – is the same age as Max Verstappen but has never had a car competitive enough to consistently fight for the title over an entire season. However, Marko believes the #16 driver for Maranello lacks certain qualities needed to aim for the ultimate prize.

“Charles Leclerc is good in qualifying but makes too many mistakes in races,” the Austrian declared. Charles Leclerc does indeed have a low conversion rate from pole positions to wins – only five of his 26 career poles have translated into victories – but calling him “error-prone” during races seems overly harsh. In the 2024 season alone, despite not always having the best car on the grid, the Monaco native finished in the top five in 21 of the 23 races he completed. No one did better.

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With just over a month left until the start of the new championship, teams are making their final preparations with track training, TPC or THC sessions, and the first announcements of official presentations and filming days. It promises to be a very open championship, though McLaren may start as the favorite. Ferrari and Red Bull face the tough task of halting Woking’s “dominance” early on.

The two heavyweights, at least in terms of titles won, will be Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. With eleven championships between them, they are the most successful drivers on the current grid and, at least in Lewis Hamilton’s case, in the history of Formula 1. The two have already gone head-to-head in 2021—the year of Max Verstappen’s first world title—and are gearing up for a new, epic battle.

Helmut Marko puts all his bets on Max Verstappen
While Lewis Hamilton was enjoying his debut with Ferrari at Fiorano, Helmut Marko gave a spicy interview to Sport Bild: “[Verstappen] gains 0.1 to 0.2 seconds per lap that no one else can achieve. Hamilton is still fast in races, but over the course of an entire season? I have my doubts. Even if he had a good Ferrari and we had a mediocre Red Bull, I’d still bet on Max.”

Helmut Marko didn’t miss the chance to offer the British champion a “piece of advice”: “Be careful not to fall into a negative spiral,” as happened in recent years with Mercedes. The new championship, at least in the media, has already begun.

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Ferrari’s 2025 F1 season

After competing for the constructors’ title until the final race, Ferrari has solid hopes of making further progress in 2025. To achieve this, they decided not to renew Carlos Sainz‘s contract and to bring in seven-time world champion and all-time record holder for victories and pole positions in Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton. The Briton will take the wheel of the iconic red car at the age of 40 for the last great challenge of his extraordinary career.

In his column for Speedweek, Helmut Marko shared his thoughts on Ferrari’s dynamics for the next championship: “We are curious to see Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari. With Charles Leclerc, he will have one of the strongest rivals in qualifying. Lewis can still be a champion in races if the car is right. However, we saw at Mercedes that his motivation was limited when the car wasn’t very competitive. He needs to know he can reach the podium; it’s unlikely he will fight for tenth place.”

The generational shift

Helmut Marko also reflected on various changes coming next year: “Yuki Tsunoda hit the track with the RB20 in post-season testing, and we were satisfied with his technical feedback; he’s better in this aspect than people say. Overall, after a long period with virtually no changes, there will be several rookies who can show what they’re made of. We’ll have Gabriel Bortoleto, Oliver Bearman, and Kimi Antonelli, and if we manage to place a young talent in Racing Bulls, it will mean four new faces, marking a true generational shift.” – the Red Bull advisor concluded.

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