Helmut Marko sounds serious Red Bull alarm

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has sounded a serious alarm, by conceding that the team will not contest for Australian Grand Prix pole position. 

The Milton Keynes-based outfit endured a poor opening day of the season at Albert Park, with Max Verstappen having ended Friday in seventh on the timesheets. 

However, the reigning world champion was 10 places ahead of new team-mate Liam Lawson, whose best soft tyre lap was slower than Verstappen's best on the medium compound. 

Verstappen himself noted that grip is the team's biggest problem in Melbourne, making it a very difficult problem to solve. 

According to Marko, Red Bull made the car worse following changes after first practice, with him accepting that McLaren are the clear strongest outfit.

"The first practice session was better," Marko told Sky DE. "The changes we made were not promising, so the maximum result is the second row. 

"It fluctuated between understeer and oversteer and that of course also affects the tyres during the long run. 

"A podium is the maximum in normal circumstances, because it seems that McLaren is the strongest team. Behind them it is close between Ferrari, Mercedes and us."

Whilst Marko believes a podium is possible in normal conditions, the complete opposite is currently forecast for the grand prix. 

Thunderstorms and persistent rain showers are expected on Sunday, handing Verstappen a potential advantage.

"It seems that McLaren is the strongest team, and then it will be close between Ferrari, Mercedes, and us," added Marko. 

"I heard it's supposed to rain [on Sunday]. And then, of course, the Max Factor will be back."