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Red Bull Racing is working hard to recapture the glory days of 2010-13 when Sebastian Vettel landed the team every available world title, but this year it has so far found itself chasing Ferrari - a team that fell behind itself last year - as much as Mercedes. Team Principal Christian Horner is unsurprised by the perceived step backwards, however, which has been attributed to the chassis rather than the engine.
"We could see from pre-season testing that Mercedes looked strong and Ferrari had had a good winter but, to be honest with you, having analysed Australia, our performance relative to 12 months ago is nearly identical in terms of the amount of time we need to find to catch the guys up front," Horner said in China.
By the Bahrain Grand Prix, Red Bull had slashed the gap to pole position from 1.3 seconds in Melbourne to approximately 0.8 seconds, but it is evidently not a lack of raw power that is mainly causing the team to fall back, as the RB13 has thus far suffered with a lack of grip that has hampered Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen during races - particularly at the rear end.
Despite this, however, Horner is confident that Red Bull can develop its car well enough to be a more formidable challenger as 2017 goes on: "Last year, we managed to develop the car quite successfully and finish up ahead of Ferrari, winning a couple of races along the way. We're confident we have a good basis of a car in the RB13. The operating window of the car is pretty narrow and it will be a constant evolution and development throughout the season."
The team's engine supplier Renault must make progress if it is to usurp Ferrari and its power unit this year, particularly in qualifying - and to improve performance, it is working closely with Red Bull's new fuel and lubricant partner ExxonMobil, which Horner is quick to praise: "ExxonMobil have demonstrated in a very short space of time that their technical prowess is remarkable," he said.
"Their speed of reaction and development rate is stunning. We're already seeing the benefits with that, and they're working in close collaboration with our engine partner because, of course, the product has to work with those engine parameters."
Whatever Red Bull's struggles may be, its drivers are undoubtedly very strong, and both Ricciardo and Verstappen are seen as two of the sport's most exciting stars. They are crucial to the team's future prospects and are each firmly contracted. Horner is therefore relieved that Red Bull will not have to worry about the annual 'silly season' rumours: "For next year, it is not something we have to get involved in. We'll be interested observers but thankfully not involved."
Mason Hawker
"Actually our development is pants, we are a spiteful bunch of jealous shaites who constantly need to stroke our egos basking in the glow of past glories to feel better"
-- Said no Team Principal ever.
Slow news day eh?
Something is telling me, what ever they say, you always will put a remark like this in here.
Seems even you realize that RBR are a bunch of whiners crying to anyone who would listen on how great they are because they were so in the distant past.
No. I realize that RB is the only one who have a real hart for the F1 fan out there, and want a real competition for every team within the F1. What do you think happen if Renault really start to be competitive in F1? Do you think the give RBR still the 1 on 1 upgrades the have now? Think again.
LOL what strong stuff are you smoking?!? RBR has only complained and whined when their advantage was lost. Case in point in when RBR lost tyre usage advantage they lobbied hard to have Perilli revert back to previous compounds. Now they are whining about all sorts of things to be changed with little success. They are all out to look after their own interests, only an idiot would think they 'care' about the heart of F1 fans. This might come as a surprise to you but Redbull is not in it to make some bums and fat bellys at home watching the TV happy seeing the races, RBR are in it make money through marketing and winning is a big part of that. RBR will try every dirty trick in the book if it suits them.
People are too naive these days.
I agree with McLarenfan on this. Red Bull is through and through a company, with all the pros and cons of one, and they only really look out for one thing: their own interests. If it benefits them to screw someone over, they will screw someone over. The only reason why people tend to think Red Bull care more for their fans compared to e.g Williams is because they want you to think they care more for you than the rest. Read between the lines, and look at what they've done in the past, and things take a nastier turn. Remember how dearly Red Bull said they held Renault earlier? Remember how they talked as if they were one team. Look at 2014 and onward. Where did the buddy-buddy talk go?
I dont think you should stop liking them if they are your favourite team, you do you, but remember that like any other company, Red Bull only care for something as long as it benefits them.
Come one please. Are the factory teams any better? The look for there own interest as well. And who is screwing who. Did you forget the protest of Ferrari early this season against Mercedes and RBR.
And for good reason RBR and Mercedes were upto to no good with movable that offer aerodynamic benefits so Ferrari instead of following suit with costly developments decided to put a big wrench in those plans. It was illegal to start with and it is costly. Ferrari saw the costs not worth it so decided to make sure it was killed off before it got mainstream. RBR did the same with tyres compound lobbying in their winning years.
You just agreed to my entire post that RBR only looks out for their own interests and not that of F1 or the fans. They couldn't care less of what the fans thought.
LOL The things people try to come up with to justify why the team their fav driver drives for is somehow in the right. Moron fanbois.
mclarenfan1968@
Thank you for bringing up that fans who have a other opinion than you have must be morons. If 1968 is your day of birth, try to act like a adult instead of insulting people.
LOL Stop acting like a butthurt fanboi and deal with reality when it is pointed out to you. You have a right to voice your opinion and I have the right to point out to you that your opinion isn't ground in reality.
Deal with it pleb.
This really funny actually that you start with LOL in your remarks. You must find yourself a very funny guy. What the hell, you almost act like a moron yourself.
Aww would you look at that butthurt moron fanboi comes back for more LOL! Here's a solution for you: apply cold water to the burnt area.
You are obviously triggered or else you won't bother to respond to my post which you apparently claim to be of less value to you. XD
So much entertaining when I get under the skin of you fanbois.
At least Horner admits it's not Renault which is falling behind. They blame the chassis and not the engine. That makes it absolutely a possitive thing. RBR is the team with the best possibilities to catch up on that area
Spot on.
Did we ever find out why Verstappen crashed out in Bahrain? Was it cold tyres, failing brakes or something else? Looked very weird how he just ran off like that.
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At least Horner admits it's not Renault which is falling behind. They blame the chassis and not the engine. That makes it absolutely a possitive thing. RBR is the team with the best possibilities to catch up on that area