Apr.12 (GMM) McLaren and Red Bull are the teams to bet money on after the early phase of the 2012 season.

That is the view of Jaime Alguersuari, the former Toro Rosso driver who is now a commentator for British radio as well as Pirelli's new test driver.

The Spaniard told Europa Press news agency that Ferrari, whose Fernando Alonso won the rain-marred Malaysian grand prix three weeks ago, remains "one step below" the current pacesetters.

"If it (Sepang) had been a normal race, the (Ferrari) car would not have been at the level of a McLaren or Red Bull," said Alguersuari.

At the same time, however, the 22-year-old insists that the 2012 title race remains "very open".

"Alonso was only the winner (in Malaysia) because he did a great job in choosing and managing the tyres," said Alguersuari.

"But Ferrari have the potential to develop the car in a short space of time because the top teams are capable of gaining a second, a second and a half, which is what I think they're lacking.

"And I think what happens in the end is what matters to Fernando Alonso," he added, also explaining that the 2012 field is tightly bunched together.

"The FIA has done a great job with the regulations and I think we should be grateful," said Alguersuari.

"Now we can see a Sauber that really can be ahead, and that's because there is much less difference between the first and the fifth (best) car."

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