F1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi has warned Red Bull that it is "lost", whilst the two-time champion also believes Lewis Hamilton will need time to adjust to Ferrari. Despite Max Verstappen sealing a fourth consecutive F1 drivers' title, Red Bull endured its most challenging season in several years in 2024. The Milton Keynes-based team encountered multiple issues with its RB20, resulting in a 10-race winless streak for Max Verstappen – this has not happened since 2020. Fittipaldi is not expecting an immediate improvement by Red Bull this year, and instead expects McLaren to defend its title. "I think in my opinion, McLaren are the biggest [favourites]," Fittipaldi told Talksport . "It's not because I am a McLaren guy, but if you look at the average of performance last year, McLaren was always there. "Red Bull started losing, they're up and down. They're a little lost, and I think McLaren is very consistent. My opinion, McLaren can win the world championship with Lando or Oscar. "Lando, for sure, is much more experienced. It will be interesting. I think McLaren, in my opinion. It is not only Red Bull that Fittipaldi is expecting to suffer at least in the opening rounds, with the Brazilian also throwing Hamilton into that basket. However, it is because the former McLaren driver has labelled this year as one of "transition" for the seven-time world champion at Ferrari. "Lewis, it's a transition year for him," added the F1 icon. "With all his wisdom, all his experience going into Ferrari, it's going to help Ferrari for sure, but that takes some time, possibly six months. "But it'd be great to see Lewis and Ferrari performing well. It'd be fantastic for motorsport."
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