Intense showcasing as Red Bull 'addresses' issues with the 2024 car.

      A complete pecking order will have to be postponed for now, but insiders are beginning to discern which teams and drivers might emerge as leaders when the 2025 season kicks off in Melbourne next month.

      Official pre-season testing commenced in Bahrain on Wednesday, though a total power failure disrupted the conclusion of the first day of running. Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko remarked, "I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed anything like that in modern Formula 1."

      He also expressed surprise regarding the weather conditions. "We expected sunshine and warmth, but it’s even colder than in Europe," he told the Kleine Zeitung newspaper with a smile.

      As for the timesheet, early 2025 favorite Lando Norris led, followed closely by Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari. However, Lewis Hamilton lagged a full second behind Charles Leclerc’s pace. "McLaren showed great consistency and speed, as did Mercedes," Marko mentioned, "though the temperatures might account for Mercedes’ rapid pace."

      Regarding Ferrari and Hamilton specifically, the Austrian noted, "I anticipated more from them. However, it’s too early for a definitive conclusion, as there are still two days of testing remaining. We will see."

      On the topic of Red Bull, technical chief Pierre Wache countered the narrative suggesting that the 'new' car is merely a replicate of its predecessor, which finished third in the constructors’ standings behind McLaren and Ferrari. "We’ve implemented significant alterations to the car, although most of them are not visible," the Frenchman admitted, particularly referencing the cooling system and floor.

      "We have also responded to the FIA’s interpretation regarding the flexibility of the front wing." This comment is particularly noteworthy, as stricter regulations on front wing flexibility will not take effect until the ninth round in Barcelona. Red Bull has expressed criticism over this decision, arguing that it could make the 2025 season an expensive two-part world championship in its final year of the current regulations.

      Observers have pointed out that the front wing flexibility on the new Aston Martin appears to be quite extreme, while Red Bull's Christian Horner noted that nearly every car on the 2025 grid resembles a Red Bull. "Only Ferrari has taken a different approach," he remarked.

      Both Marko and Max Verstappen expressed satisfaction with the team's progress over the winter regarding handling improvements. "Max’s long runs were the best in the field," Marko stated. "We were quicker than McLaren and Mercedes, particularly on worn tires."

      The 81-year-old mentioned that Verstappen only missed the top of the overall times due to a "wobble on his best lap." "In terms of driving," said four-time world champion Verstappen, "everything felt good. There were no negative surprises, just positive ones, which is encouraging. We’re not yet sure of our pace, but everything is functioning well, and the car is responding as I wish. We have everything under control, and that’s all we can hope for at the start of testing."

      Marko went even further, expressing optimism: "I believe the issues we encountered last year have largely been addressed, or perhaps even fully resolved."