Team Red Bull targets Mercedes

Red Bull has set its sights on catching Mercedes after climbing ahead of Ferrari in the Formula 1 constructors’ championship.

Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen’s second and third places in the German Grand Prix represented Red Bull’s first double podium of 2016, and moved it 14 points ahead of Ferrari.

Though Mercedes is 159 points clear in front, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said his squad could aim to get closer on track at least when F1 resumes after its summer break.

“Our objective is to close that gap further to Mercedes ahead,” said Horner, who suggested the deficit to the champion team was now down to 0.3 seconds.

“You’ve always got to look ahead rather than behind.

“We’ve had great performance at a a variety of circuits from Austria to Silverstone to Budapest and Germany.

“They are four very different venues, four different surfaces and that bodes well for the second half of the season.

“There are some races on the calendar which will hopefully be favourable to us.”

While both Red Bull and engine supplier Renault have largely turned their attention to 2017 preparations, Horner said both parties had room to make gains in the remaining part of this season.

“We still have a few bits that we can tidy up on the car which are on the pipeline, which were kicked off some time ago,” he said.

“There is still progress going on with the engine with drivability.

“There are some positive things in the pipeline which can hopefully help us to try and close that gap further.”

Category: Formula One