Red Bull Racing fully lived up to sky-high expectations in the first Formula 1 race of 2023. However, as last year amply proved, a lot can change over the course of the year. Team boss Christian Horner realises this all too well, and he therefore assumes that other teams will catch up.
At the Bahrain Grand Prix, Red Bull clearly had the best papers, leading to a one-two for Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. However, Horner believes that a small difference in conditions can have big consequences, as was shown several times last year.
"I think that the operating windows of these cars are very narrow," Horner explained to GPblog among others. "Every team in the top three looks like it's developed its own theme. One team has adopted our theme and have made a gain," he added, adding a pinprick towards Aston Martin.
For Ferrari and Mercedes, the first race weekend of the year went less smoothly. However, the Red Bull team boss expects these teams too to catch up soon. "I guess at some point it is going to converge and that can happen during a season," Horner continued.
Important difference with Mercedes dominance
Whereas Red Bull started the hybrid era lagging behind Mercedes, which was only made up in 2021, the Austrian racing stable seems to be supreme since the introduction of the new generation of F1 cars. This time it may be extra difficult to catch up than it has been since 2014, but Horner stressed that the current situation differs from the old one in one important area.
"I think the budget cap adds challenges, you've just got to be effective and efficient with your spend and your commitment. I think 2014 was different because that was a fundamental difference in the engine. Whereas the chassis is much more swift to develop than an engine," said the Red Bull Racing team boss.