Helmut Marko demolishes everyone: here’s his prediction for the F1 Australian GP. Helmut Marko has shared his prediction for the Australian GP.

The first kilometers of the 2025 Formula 1 season have revealed an interesting technical picture. McLaren appears to be the clear favorite, while Red Bull seems to have lost the absolute dominance of recent years. The main challenge for the Milton Keynes team, as in the second half of 2024, concerns the car’s operating window— a problem that could compromise its competitiveness in 2025.

Is McLaren hiding its potential? Helmut Marko’s prediction for the Australian GP
During testing, McLaren appeared to have the strongest technical package, but without fully revealing its potential. “The Woking team avoided setting the best times in all sectors and seemingly concealed its performance in race simulations. The data shows that, despite carrying a high fuel load, McLaren managed to be half a second faster than its rivals, but this wasn’t reflected in the timing sheets,” Helmut Marko explained to ServusTV.

Then came the prediction that crushes everyone’s hopes: “They clearly didn’t use the full power of the engine during testing, and if the data is confirmed, it will be a McLaren one-two in Australia. The Woking team starts the season as the favorite, but Red Bull was in the same position last year.”

The role of weather conditions
However, the weather conditions during pre-season testing may have distorted the overall picture. In Bahrain, temperatures were unusually low (around 14°C), very different from the 35°C expected in Australia. “The behavior of the cars could change drastically on hotter tracks, especially for Red Bull, which requires an extremely precise setup to perform at its best.”

The Max Verstappen factor
One of Red Bull’s strengths remains Max Verstappen, who can compensate for some technical limitations with his talent. However, the three-time world champion will have to get used to fighting harder than in previous seasons. “The team needs to work intensely to widen the car’s operating window and ensure more consistent performance.” – he pointed out.

Red Bull’s operating window issue
According to test data, Red Bull has struggled with a very narrow operating window. “If the car falls within these optimal conditions, the team is competitive and fighting for victory. However, even a slight variation can result in a loss of up to a second per lap, making the car difficult to manage,” Helmut Marko added.