Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko is unconvinced by Mercedes driver George Russell’s argument that McLaren look like one of the quickest teams ahead of 2022.
McLaren completed 367 laps over the course of three days of pre-season testing in Barcelona, with Lando Norris going quickest on day one before Daniel Ricciardo ended day two third fastest behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly.
Following day two, during which Ricciardo alone managed more laps than Russell and team-mate Sir Lewis Hamilton combined, the 24-year-old indicated that the Woking side and the Scuderia look especially strong.
“Some teams are looking fast, a red team and an orange team in particular,” Russell told Sky Sports.
“[Ferrari and McLaren] look, very very competitive, so let’s see what tomorrow brings and what we can do between this test and Bahrain.”
Norris was quick to dispel rumours that his team are the quickest on day one, but acknowledged that his had enjoyed a productive day at the office.
“I don’t care if I’m first or last,” he stated.
The 22-year-old then joked that it is better if teams have no inclination that the British side are the quickest in testing.
“If anything, it’s worse if you’re first as everyone thinks we’re amazingly fast, which I don’t really reckon we are,” he added.
“But no, I think a good day in terms of the laps and the program.”
Dr Marko believes that the reason for McLaren’s notable pace in Barcelona was purely owed to them pushing harder than other teams, and jokingly suggested that they are looking for more sponsors.
“McLaren is chasing sponsors,” he quipped.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner sees it as a positive for the sport if Ferrari and McLaren are competitive this year, and tips new Mercedes signing Russell to be a key factor in the title battle.
“It’s what everybody wants to see; you want to see the best drivers in the world fighting wheel-to-wheel,” he explained.
“I think Ferrari could be in there, McLaren [are] looking strong, so you might have a few other candidates. And don’t forget [Mercedes driver] George Russell. I mean, he’s going to be a key component in this championship as well.”
Red Bull perhaps went a little under the radar compared to other teams last week, but the 48-year-old is pleased with the progress his team made as they completed 358 laps.
“It’s great to be back on track. These new cars are very, very different, so it’s a ‘get-to-know-you’ process with this new car,” he added.
“So far, the feedback’s been good. It’s behaving as we expected, as per our tools predicted, so it’s been an encouraging start.”
A slightly clearer idea of relative performance will likely be available after the second test in Bahrain, before the 2022 season kicks off a week later at the Sakhir International Circuit.