Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes that Mercedes will again be the team to beat in 2017, but feels that the new regulations give his team the opportunity to close the gap at the top.
Horner told Sky Sports F1, “Mercedes will be the favourites but if we can narrow that gap down and put them under a bit of pressure it would be great for everyone.”
After two tough years in 2014 and 2015, Red Bull turned things around significantly last year and were best of the rest, becoming the proverbial ‘thorn in the side’ for Mercedes in 2016.
Horner explained, “It feels like we are building momentum. 2016 [was] all about building that momentum and there is a feeling of real optimism within the team that if we can nudge a bit closer on the engine.”
“[In terms of chassis] we are hoping to come up with a good car to give our guys the tools to fight Mercedes. 2017 is a clean sheet of paper and no one knows where the opposition are.”
“We’ve been quite good with regulation changes before, but nothing can be taken for granted. We are hoping similar progress can be made with the engine and if that happens I think we have two very capable drivers of taking the fight to Mercedes,” said Horner of Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen who will spearhead the team’s challenge this season.
Much is expected of the new rules, which will make Formula 1 cars faster and supposedly tougher to drive.
“The car is more physical, it is quite a bit faster and it is getting back to being a man’s car. They look aggressive, they are wider, they produce more downforce – it is going to sort the men out from the boys. I think these cars are going to be really impressive,” predicted Horner.
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