Marko: "All this is possible thanks to the Honda engine"

Since the introduction of the hybrid era in Formula 1, Red Bull Racing have been unable to pose a serious threat to Mercedes' dominance. This season seems different: Red Bull seem to be in better shape than ever, and their power unit looks reliable and fast.

Although Max Verstappen was the favourite for the victory in Bahrain, in the end he had to leave Lewis Hamilton in front. He finished just seven-tenths of a second behind Hamilton, something Red Bull wouldn't have dared dreaming of a year ago.

Honda engine weaknesses seem to be a thing of the past

Helmut Marko says the car's weaknesses have been eliminated. "We knew where we were weak. Our goal was to be ready at the first minute of the first practice session and drive away with a competitive car. We achieved that," Marko said in a conversation with Motorsport-Magazin.com.

Big steps have been taken at Honda as well. The engine that was actually meant for 2022 is now in use. Besides being faster and more reliable, it is also more compact. "The new engine has not only advanced in horsepower and handling, but we now have the narrowest rear end. All this is possible thanks to the Honda engine," says Marko.