Red Bull give verdict on if they have Hamilton vs Rosberg repeat

Formula One preview: A lap of the Australian Grand Prix

Red Bull chief Christian Horner has played down suggestions he may have an intra-team battle similar to Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg on his hands. Tensions between the two Mercedes stars reached boiling point with the battle coming to a head in 2016 as the pair clashed on track.

Max Verstappen has always had a comfortable advantage over his team-mates but pundits believe Sergio Perez could be a serious threat.

The Mexican took victory at one of the toughest races of the season in Saudi Arabia and has pledged to battle the Dutchman for the crown until the end. It also comes amid rumours of unease in the camp with Perez and Verstappen exchanging words after the race in Jeddah.

Addressing concerns over a rivalry, Horner told Sky Sports F1: “To have both Max and Checo up there delivering at the level they are is fantastic for us as a team. Does that take more management? It’s just a slightly different focus. As a team doing the best that we can to give them the best opportunity we can.

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“But it’s not just about our two drivers, we have to remember upgrades are coming through from other teams.” However, Ted Kravitz then pushed Horner on whether Verstappen vs Perez could match Hamilton and Rosberg’s previous duels.

But, he refused to be drawn into the comparisons as he stressed Perez would struggle to maintain his race-winning form throughout the campaign. The team boss explained: “Look, it’s fantastic we have two drivers delivering at the level we have, Checo made a step forward last year.

“He’s started this year well and his challenge will be keeping that form over a 23-race period. We all know how strong Max is week in and week out. That is going to be important for us as a team to be as consistent as we can.

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“And also for Checo that’s going to be his biggest challenge for this year but his confidence is sky high. That win meant a great deal to him in Jeddah. It was another very strong race for him.”

Verstappen’s bid for victory was dented in Saudi Arabia qualifying after the team suffered a drive shaft issue. It meant the Dutchman had to fight back from P15 meaning securing a win was always going to be tough.

However, Perez doubled down on his assertions that he could be a championship challenger ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. He remarked: “I think that is important to be able to stay in the fight throughout the season – to have a car that you can be competitive whatever conditions you are in.

“When you are in the fight for the championship you have got to take your A-game into every single race, you have to try everything you possibly can.”

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