Verstappen: 'If it stays like it was in the test, Marko has nothing to fear'

Ahead of qualifying and the race in Bahrain things are looking good for Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen. The Dutchman has been fastest in every practice and test session he has participated in so far. But he refuses to see himself as a favourite just yet.

That honour, he believes, belongs to Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. Speaking to Sport1.de he reiterated Mercedes' performance in recent years and stressed that they often fail to show their true speed. Should Mercedes prove to have the fastest car again this season, how small may Red Bull's deficit be for Verstappen to still have a chance of winning as a driver.

Verstappen still in a happy marriage with Red Bull for now

"Two tenths per lap," it sounds resolute from his mouth. "I trust myself that together with the team to make up for it. Anything more than that is going to be difficult." Even in that case, things are looking good for Verstappen, as the top of the field seems to be very close at the very least.

That two tenths is also within the three tenths margin that would have been built into his breakaway clause. Should Helmut Marko fear his departure after 2021 at all? "If things stay as they were at the test, then he [Marko] doesn't have to be afraid of that. You also have to remember that I've been at Red Bull for a long time now. I know the people here and I like them all."