Mar.16 - It's only round one of 24, but George Russell thinks the 2025 season is basically done and dusted.

"McLaren has such a big gap to the others that they could stop development already and focus completely on 2026," said the Mercedes driver.

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher senses deep disappointment in the Mercedes camp that the team looks set to complete the entire 2022-2025 rules era just sniffing at the tail end of the bottom step of the podium.

"Toto Wolff stood in front of the cameras looking perplexed yet again," he told Bild newspaper at Albert Park. "And with a rookie like Kimi Antonelli, it won't be any easier."

Indeed, multiple rookies have had difficult season openers in Australia - including Liam Lawson, who so far is looking no better than Sergio Perez in the sister Red Bull.

"He wanted to show what he can do," Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko said after qualifying, "and unfortunately that went wrong.

"We have to let him cool down a bit now and observe his development over the first three to five races."

Given how well Yuki Tsunoda performed in the junior Racing Bulls car, Marko's quote is ominous. McLaren CEO Zak Brown couldn't resist a cheeky jibe:

"They seem to make some strange driver choices at Red Bull," he said. "Especially when you look at a performance like Yuki's."

Haas rookie Oliver Bearman also had a scrappy opening start to his season. "Multiple accidents in one weekend are simply unacceptable," Marko observed.

But even seasoned veteran, and F1's most successful driver in history - Lewis Hamilton - failed to make a mark in Melbourne. "If Ferrari's interest is competitiveness, I would have saved a lot of money on the salary and taken someone else," Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Hamilton, though, was contrite. "I went into FP1 here and realised 'Okay, I still have a long way to go."

But even Charles Leclerc is more than disappointed with Ferrari's poor pace. "Even in the worst case scenario I didn't imagine this," he said after qualifying P7.

As for Red Bull, however, Marko is relieved that what appeared to be a much bigger gap to McLaren at the start of the weekend shrunk as the event progressed.

"I already won 500 euros from Jos (Verstappen), because he thought we would give up five tenths to McLaren," he told De Telegraaf. "Compared to the test days in Bahrain, we have taken a big step."

Max Verstappen, however, insisted after qualifying: "We're definitely not at McLaren's level. No one can argue with that."


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5 F1 Fan comments on “Behind the Strategy: Why Marko's Watching Lawson Closely

  1. Jere Jyrälä

    Last season shows that competitive order can change during a season, so declaring McLaren champions after only a single round is way premature.
    Rookies/inexperienced drivers indeed had a tough time, but people should avoid definitive conclusions regarding them as well.

  2. shroppyfly

    A lot of pointless quotes so early on, cheap digs from Zak when he signed DR and had to pay him off, typical Marko and Flav but they arent wrong....

      • shroppyfly

        Given how well Yuki Tsunoda performed in the junior Racing Bulls car, Marko's quote is ominous. McLaren CEO Zak Brown couldn't resist a cheeky jibe:

        "They seem to make some strange driver choices at Red Bull," he said. "Especially when you look at a performance like Yuki's."

  3. smokey

    It's a bit unfair to make disparaging comments about Lawson. He spent a lot of time off the track during practice sessions having car problems rectified! Yeah, he had a few excursions during the race, but at least his were only minor incidents that didn't cause serious damage to the car.
    Hadjaar arrived with high expectations, only to fail to make it around to the starting grid. Although I recall history tells us that a few well respected drivers, including Alain Prost, had similar incidents.
    Ollie didn't cover himself with glory with his expensive excursions! Shades of Mick Schumacher! Nor did Jack Doohan with his off! Dad Mick was not impressed by the look on his face. Jack must perform well in the next races to prevent Flavio tipping him out!
    Testing race conditions that claimed highly experienced drivers such as Alonso and Sainz, and almost cost Lando the race. But a good recovery by Oscar to finish 9th and at least get a few points. Good drive by Max, although I guess we have come to expect those skillful drives by Max!


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