Christian Horner addresses Red Bull F1 title prospects after Mercedes’ pre-season stumble

F1: Red Bull's Verstappen gets in shape for new season

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Red Bull boss Christian Horner has put the pressure on rivals Mercedes by insisting he’s under ‘no illusions’ that they are the team to beat in Formula One this season.

Compared to Mercedes’ pre-season testing experience, Red Bull enjoyed relatively smooth sailing, bar Sergio Perez unexpectedly losing its engine cover.

The car looked comfortable in the hands of both Max Verstappen and Perez – with Verstappen setting the fastest time overall.

But Horner said their performance is much dependent on what Mercedes do with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas hoping to deliver an eighth straight season of double titles for the Silver Arrows.

“They’ve been formidable opponents over the last six or seven years,” remarked Horner.

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“They’ve obviously been very much the benchmark and continue to be that benchmark, so we’ve worked very hard in all areas of the team over the winter, it’s been a short winter.

“Obviously we got home from Abu Dhabi last year, went into lockdown [in the UK], and just coming out of lockdown and we’re back racing again.

“It’s been challenging conditions for everybody, but I think the whole team has responded very well and it’s going to be great to go racing again and it’s going to be a long year, but we have no illusions that Mercedes are very much the firm favourites going into this year.”

Verstappen’s fastest time was nearly 30 seconds quicker than Hamilton, however, due to changing and challenging conditions in Bahrain, such performance may not translate into qualifying and races at the start of the season with Mercedes expected to come back into form.

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Verstappen added: “We will find out in two weeks at the first race weekend where we are,” he added.

“That is where we can judge our performance but from the test, it has been a good few days.

“That doesn’t mean that we are happy. We always want to improve and try to be better.”

Verstappen will be partnered by Perez this season and the Mexican driver earned his first race win last season in Bahrain.

“Red Bull have had some really good running,” Hamilton admitted.

“Both drivers have been looking strong. They are going to be a different animal this year.

“A strong line-up with the two drivers and a really good car.”

Verstappen won the final Grand Prix of 2020 at Abu Dhabi and Hamilton says he thinks the Dutchman can carry that form into the new season.

He added: “Having won the last race, you can only assume they are going to be right there if not at the front at the first race and it is going to be a great long battle with them through the year.”

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