Helmut Marko delivers positive Red Bull verdict after tough Australian GP first practice

Helmut Marko has offered a positive update for Red Bull, despite a tough Australian Grand Prix first practice on paper.

World champion Max Verstappen, who had ruled out a victory challenge heading into the Albert Park weekend, was fifth-fastest, behind the McLaren pair of session-topper Lando Norris and third-placed Oscar Piastri, with Carlos Sainz impressing in second for Williams.

Charles Leclerc was also ahead of the Red Bull, which was around four-tenths slower on the soft tyres than Norris's ultimate pace.

However, reflecting on the first 60 minutes of the season, Marko was upbeat.

"I think all four teams, Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and ourselves, are very close," Marko told ORF. 

"Thank God we are not that far from it, andd right now the four-tenths gap (to Verstappen) is not representative. 

"It will be an exciting event and it's all about fine-tuning, during the next practice it will be much warmer. 

"We will see what that brings, but we are positive.

The first minor setback for Red Bull also came as Liam Lawson damaged the floor of the RB21, coming after a wall-strike at Turn 9. 

Marko explained of the incident: "He drove quite hard over the kerbstones and the floor was damaged. They are trying to repair it as much as possible in the time available."