Red Bull's Helmut Marko found positives in the worst race weekend for Red Bull in two years- the 2024 Australian Grand Prix.
Red Bull came to Australia with a significant lead over everyone else in the Championship as the Austrian team dominated the first two races of the season.
However, the team from Milton Keynes left Australia with a much less significant lead, which came down to four points in both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships. Helmut Marko wrote in his column for Speedweek.com:
"Unfortunately, our weekend in Australia didn't get off to a good start during training. We were clearly behind."
Ferrari was expected to perform better in Australia, but everyone was surprised when the red cars seemed fast in qualifying and race pace already in the Free Practice sessions.
"There is no longer any trace of superiority like in the first two races. The fact that we managed to qualify so well with 1st place for Max and 6th place for Checo was a fantastic team performance."
Red Bull didn't have a significant advantage in qualifying sessions, but the biggest difference was always shown with race pace. However, Max Verstappen didn't get to show what he and his RB20 had in them.
The triple World Champion had to retire just after a few laps of the race at Albert Park Circuit due to issues with the right rear brake that caught fire.
"During the race, Max said he could easily have matched Sainz's pace at the front. That's why I was disappointed and angry about the defect."
However, the 80-year-old Red Bull boss was able to find positives in it all, asserting that he would at least not have to answer the same question again and again every single race.
"Until the loss, the mood in the team was as I know it, full of fighting spirit. We were a bit sad after that, but at least we're no longer constantly being asked if we're going to win every race. I'm glad that this issue was resolved so early."