Christian Horner believes Red Bull will deliver a package capable of challenging Mercedes in 2017, but insists the Silver Arrows remain the team to beat.
Mercedes have enjoyed a comfortable advantage over the chasing pack since the beginning of F1’s turbo-hybrid era in 2014, failing to win just eight races over the last three seasons.
With the revamp of the regulations set to redress the balance between horse power and aerodynamic efficiency, it is hoped that the Bulls, notoriously strong in the chassis department, will bring an end to their rivals’ dominance after emerging as the ‘best of the rest’ in 2016.
Team principal Horner says there is a mood of optimism in Milton Keynes ahead of the new season, but hinted that their success could hinge upon the improvements of engine suppliers Renault.
“It feels like we are building momentum,” Horner told Sky Sports F1. “2016 has been 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…chassis we are hoping to come up with a good car to give our guys the tools to fight Mercedes next year.
“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.”
Despite the loss of world champion Nico Rosberg, the Brackley outfit remain the favourites and could emulate Red Bull’s phenomenal ‘quadruple double’ by winning both championships this year.
Horner, though, feels the sport would benefit from some closer competition at the front of the grid, and hopes to ruffle Mercedes’ feathers.
“Mercedes will be the favourites heading into next year, but if we can narrow that gap down and put them under a bit of pressure it would be great for everyone,” he added.
The prospect of a title duel involving Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo has certainly whet fans’ appetite, with the Aussie warning the triple world champion in a recent interview that an intense battle lies ahead.
“I think we can challenge, yes,” Ricciardo told the official F1 website when asked if Red Bull could realistically fight for the title. “If we make the same improvements we did last year then he [Hamilton] won’t have anything easy, believe me.”
