Red Bull think Mercedes is 0.2 seconds ahead: "They achieve that with DAS"

According to Dr Helmut Marko, advisor at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, the difference between his team and reigning champions Mercedes is just two-tenths of a second, with that margin mainly coming through the much-discussed DAS system.

The Dual Axis System, or DAS, has grabbed all the headlines in the first test at the Circuit de Catalunya. Mercedes' new system, which extends and retracts the steering wheel when accelerating and braking while also changing the alignment of the front tyres, is reportedly quite the advantage over the rest of the grid both in terms of performance and tyre management.

While the data suggests Red Bull will be the main team challenging Mercedes in 2020, the DAS system should still give the Silver Arrows a slight advantage as they look for their seventh straight double championship.

AutoBild report Red Bull's calculations have the DAS giving Mercedes an extra two-tenths of a second, which Marko says is the difference between the two sides.

"They win the time against us because they have no understeer when cornering in tight corners," the Austrian explained. "They achieve that with DAS."

The 76-year-old continued to sing the praises of engine partner Honda, who Marko says have made big gains over the winter as is demonstrated by AlphaTauri's pace.

"AlphaTauri are doing well, [they are] not far [off] from Racing Point. They improved the power unit in every respect. The engine has more power, consumes less and improved its driveability."