Dr Helmut Marko is striving to keep spirits high about Red Bull's prospects as the 2025 season starts in Melbourne.

Max Verstappen disputed his mentor's suggestion that a second-row qualifying spot was still achievable at the opener, while Max's father has cautioned that a tough year might prompt an early team departure.

"The Verstappens are rather pessimistic," Marko told Sport1, "while I'm more of an optimist.

"For them, the glass is half empty at the moment - for me it's half full."

In the end, Marko's outlook held truer, with Verstappen securing P3 in qualifying behind the commanding McLarens.

Verstappen, however, pinpointed a different challenge for 2025 compared to last year's tricky handling. "The biggest problem is that we're just too slow," the Dutchman said.

"It's not that the balance is bad, we just don't have enough grip. It's not particularly good, particularly bad, it's just what I expected.

"Everyone has the possibility to develop and improve, of course," Verstappen continued. "But first you have to understand it. Or know where you can improve.

"I am not a specialist in aerodynamics and I can't design suspension either. I only drive with what is given to me. I will give feedback on that of course, but I can't tell them how to design a front wing."

Red Bull has clearly begun 2025 on the back foot, underlined by Sergio Perez's replacement, Liam Lawson, failing to reach Q3.

"That (gap) should be a bit less," Marko admitted.

Former F1 driver Timo Glock told Sky Deutschland: "We already had a bit of a hint, but I wouldn't have thought it would be that bad."

Still, consistent signs suggest Verstappen is only "two to three tenths" off McLaren's pace, according to Marko's estimate.

"But Max can't perform magic either," he added. "If the technical gap is too big, then even the Max factor won't help."