Martin Brundle says Red Bull are 'clear favourites' heading into F1 2022

The first Grand Prix of the 2022 Formula 1 season is upon us this weekend and Martin Brundle is bound to delight Red Bull fans with the prediction that the team from Milton Keynes are, in his mind, clear favourites at the moment after testing.

Two test sessions took place over the last few weeks with one held in Barcelona and then the second held in Bahrain, which is where the first Grand Prix of the season is also set to take place.

Indeed, on the final day in Sakhir Max Verstappen set the fastest time, with tweaks to the Red Bull car evidently aiding performance.

Of course, testing times can only be read into so much as there are so many different variables but Brundle, with a trained eye coming from both his time as a racer and now widely-respected pundit, believes he’s seen enough in testing to suggest the Bulls are the team to beat.

“Red Bull for me came away as the clear favourites,” said Brundle to Sky Sports on Saturday.

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

“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.”

Of course, each team has been eager to try and play things down in terms of their chances ahead of this coming season but Red Bull certainly appeared to take big strides towards the end of the test in Bahrain.

Ferrari have looked strong throughout, and they could well be involved in the mix right up at the front, whilst Mercedes have been saying they have a few issues to iron out before they can get into race victory contention.

Ultimately, though, everything that has gone before so far this year