Horner: "So let’s see if we can address that this year"

The Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi has been a strong place for Mercedes in the hybrid era. But Red Bull Racing should never be ruled out. 

“It looks like in the beginning of the lap we’re strong and at the end of the lap a little weaker. Historically sector three has been a part of the circuit which we excelled at. Interestingly last year turns 7, 8 and 9 was where we had the biggest deficit. So let’s see if we can address that this year," Christian Horner explains the speed of his team at Sky Sports.

Different settings at Mercedes and Red Bull

Mercedes gains most of their lead in the twisty sector three, where Red Bull Racing did so well in other years. Mercedes appears to have chosen to run with extreme downforce this weekend, while Red Bull tries to make up for their lack of engine power on the straights.

"If you look at that last sector it’s heavily downforce influenced. I have to say we’re unusually quick in sector one, which is obviously the bits with the straights on it. In sector two we’re reasonably competitive as well. It’s just how the cars are set up differently for the overall lap.”