With his move to Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton wants to herald a new SCUDERIA era in Formula 1. The test drives in Bahrain allow the first conclusions. Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko sends a warning to the British.
After the test drives of Formula 1 in Bahrain, Red Bull sees Ferrari’s competition just behind, but as one of the main competitors in the World Cup fight.
“Ferrari is the third strongest force from our calculation, just just before Mercedes,” said Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko in an interview with RTL/NTV and sport.de About the first impression of Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari.
However, the record world champion has to compete with his garage neighbor.
“In Bahrain, Leclerc was the much faster. But that’s normal. He knows the team, he knows the car. Hamilton has a lot of rounds, has gradually increased, but was not quite at the level of Leclerc. Only, as I said, the first race comes and we know that a Hamilton, if the whole environment fits, can increase incredibly,” said Marko.
Formula 1: This will be decisive for Hamilton
With a view to the duel between Hamilton and Leclerc, Marko warns the British, especially the first qualifyings are crucial.
“One is an X-field world champion, the other runs after his first title, but is one of the best qualifiers. And because the field is relatively closely together, three or four tenths can make three to five starting places,” said Marko.
“And you know how difficult it is to overtake these days. So seen in this way, it is very crucial for Hamilton that he can rate the first qualifying sessions at eye level with Leclerc. Which is certainly not easy.”
No number one at Ferrari
It is “very clear” that, like McLaren, there is no clear number one with McLaren, says Marko, unlike Red Bull with defending champion Max Verstappen. McLaren clearly sees Austria in the favorite role for the first race in Melbourne.
Do Ferrari fans have to count on a kind of motivational doldrums at Hamilton if the successes fail and displeasure about the car should arise?
“He went to Ferrari on his own will. He was looking for this new challenge, and I think he will do everything he can to meet his expectations,” said Marko. “But as I said, it is Early Days. And again: Hamilton can increase both supernatural, but it can also be if the factors do not match, he does not see a chance of winning that he will then wan about the motivation,” continues Marko.