Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was quickest overall in second free practice at Albert Park, finishing the session 0.381 seconds clear of world championship leader Max Verstappen.
But while Red Bull thinks the single-lap form is clouded by teams running different engine modes, the squad thinks the Ferrari challenge is real based on its strong race simulations.
Speaking to Sky Germany, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko said: “We need to make improvements.
“The car is not bad, but Leclerc has set a pace that still needs a lot of fine-tuning, I think. In general, you have to say that the field is getting closer together.”
Asked about whether Ferrari was flattered by engine modes, Marko said: “I think Ferrari drove at full power in the qualifying simulation. Not us. That's why I don't see the three-tenths [gap] as critical.
“But the long run was very impressive. Our set-up is not yet right.”
Verstappen’s form in second practice was also hampered by him losing track time early on as the result of repairs needed to his car following a run across the kerbs in first practice.
Source: Autosport