Red Bull rivals ‘bullish’ for Australian GP after what they’ve seen on simulator

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One of Red Bull’s F1 rivals are quietly confident about their chances at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.

Red Bull have made an ominous start to the new season with back-to-back one-two finishes.

But speaking on the Weekend Warm-Up show for F1TV, journalist Lawrence Barreto talked up one of their competitors.

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen has amassed 51 points from a possible 52 after beating Sergio Perez in both races.

Ferrari have completed the podium at each event, with Carlos Sainz third in Bahrain and Charles Leclerc third in Saudi Arabia.

There’s then a 21-point gap to third-place McLaren in the championship, while Mercedes are fourth after their poorest start since 2012.

Barreto says Red Bull challengers Ferrari are in confident mood

According to Barreto, Ferrari have arrived in the Albert Park paddock in a ‘bullish’ frame of mind.

While they don’t necessarily expect to beat Red Bull on pure pace, they could be in a position to ‘pounce’ on a mistake.

The Scuderia are able to extract more performance from the SF-24 with each weekend that passes.

And they could be particularly strong this weekend if their simulation data is anything to go by.

Barreto said: “I think they’re pretty bullish about their chances this weekend. 

“And when I say that I don’t mean that they’re going to take the fight to Red Bull and push Max Verstappen and Checo all the way.

“But I do think they’re in that area where if a mistake happens, if there’s a pit-stop issue, they can pounce.

“What Ferrari are seeing is that, from race to race, that car is getting better, their understanding of that car is getting better.

“They’re in a better spot to push on through the season rather than tail off as they’ve tended to in previous years.

“This circuit, on their simulations – from what I’m told – has looked really good for them.

“So if that can translate to the track, I think it could be looking really good.”

Can Ferrari win in Melbourne?

Baretto’s assessment tallies with what McLaren’s Lando Norris said during his Thursday media duties.

The Briton has predicted an ‘exciting’ weekend on the basis that Ferrari should be ‘competitive’ against Red Bull.

F1 needs an entertaining race after Verstappen cruised to victory at the first two rounds.

Having crossed the line 22 seconds clear in Bahrain, he won by more than 13 seconds last time out in Jeddah.

Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas feels this level of dominance is ‘concerning’ for the sport.

While it will be a big ask to reel in the considerable gap, the expected return of Sainz should strengthen Ferrari.

Sainz missed the last race because he was suffering with appendicitis, forcing the team to call-up teenager Oliver Bearman.

The Spaniard had started the season in assertive fashion by battling his way to the podium in a driver-of-the-day showing in Bahrain.

But he may not be operating at 100% this weekend, so soon after undergoing surgery.