Brundle - Red Bull "clear favourites" for Bahrain victory

Martin Brundle has earmarked Red Bull as "the clear favourites" entering the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen posted the fastest time of the second pre-season test on the final day to underline Red Bull's performance, having coasted steadily throughout the testing programme with very few alarm bells to note.

The test performance reflects that of last season at the same venue, with the Milton Keynes-based team underlining its credentials a week before racing gets underway.

"Red Bull for me came away as the clear favourites," Brundle told Sky Sports F1.

"I have absolutely no doubts in my mind that the aero package on the Red Bull took a significant step forward.

"Red Bull have moved the game on today in terms of raw pace, long-run pace.

They've been smiling all day. I think the pieces they put on the car suddenly made the whole car look better."

Ferrari looked like the biggest winner during the test with strong mileage coupled with what seemed to be competitive lap times.

Assessing the challenge the Scuderia could pose in Bahrain, Brundle added: "Red Bull have got a race on their hands with Ferrari.

"That's a front runner, that's a contender, no doubt about it."

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