Horner claims Red Bull have "closed the gap" with Ferrari & Mercedes

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has claimed that the Austrian team has now closed the gap with Mercedes and Ferrari at the top of the table, with the Bulls having acquired Honda as their new engine partner for the season.

Honda's engine had reportedly already overtaken Renault, Red Bull's engine partner for the last 12 seasons, at the end of last season in terms of performance. Reliability still remains an issue for the Japanese power units, but according to Red Bull's camp, the gap with the teams ahead has been closed now.

"The engine change has stimulated the whole team - and particularly Adrian [Newey, chief designer at Red Bull]," Horner told Sky Sports.

"He sees that the engine is now getting closer and closer to the performance of the front-running teams. That's really motivated him and he's working very hard with all the guys and girls back in Milton Keynes.

"Hopefully we can look forward to a good season. Our job is to close that gap to Ferrari and Mercedes."

When asked where the Bulls will be come next week, when the season kicks off in Melbourne with the Australian Grand Prix, Horner fancied Red Bull's chances.

"It's clear Ferrari after the second test look very strong," he continued.

"Mercedes are going to be there or thereabouts, they're the reigning world champions so they're not going to be slacking.

"I think we have definitely closed that gap.

"We will see not just in Melbourne because that's a little bit of a unique track, but look over the first three races and then ask me again then how we're faring."