Marko sees it's 'close': 'Case for getting set-up RB20 right'

22 March at 18:30

Olly Darcy
Editor

After the first day in Australia, there is plenty of work to do for Red Bull Racing. The RB20's set-up is not yet fully satisfactory and, according to Helmut Marko, this is mainly because Max Verstappen was sidelined for much of the first free practice session.

Verstappen had damaged his floor during FP1, leaving him sidelined for 20 minutes or so later in the day and unable to complete the full programme. The three-time world champion did a longrun of just four laps on mediums. It provided Red Bull with some information, but not as much as the team actually needed.

Of course, there was also Sergio Perez who was sent onto the asphalt with a full fuel tank. However, the Mexican could not match the speed of the McLarens and Ferraris. Red Bull was thus given some homework to do. Afterwards, Verstappen himself said he was not worried at all, how does Marko view it?

Marko optimistic

"We missed that in the fine-tuning," the 80-year-old Austrian is referring to Verstappen's lost time. "In the qualifying round, we were not driving with the strongest engine power, so there is not much to say about that yet. In terms of longruns, we are a bit behind the rest, but that is due to the lack of time. But it will be close." Red Bull still has 60 minutes in the third free practice session on Saturday to fine-tune the RB20.

Can Verstappen give his team its third win in a row? "If we don't get the set-up issues under control, it will also be close in the race. But I am optimistic that we will succeed," an optimistic Marko told Speedweek.com.