Horner now favours Mercedes: 'Circuits in their favour'

Red Bull Racing is preparing for the Portuguese Grand Prix where Max Verstappen took the podium last year. This year Verstappen will not be satisfied with that, but Christian Horner expects Mercedes to be the favourite again.

Mercedes the favourite

The Portuguese Grand Prix started spectacularly last year, as many drivers struggled to stay on track due to the slippery tarmac. Carlos Sainz even took the lead for a while, while Verstappen fought out a battle with Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc. In the end, though, it was a 'normal' result again, with Hamilton, Bottas and Verstappen on the podium.

In 2021 the proportions are different to last season, and Red Bull has so far shown itself to be a real threat to Mercedes. However, Horner doubts whether this will also work in Portimao. ''We are now going into a double-header as the races come thick and fast. We go to Portugal and then Spain and they are both great tracks but circuits we would expect to play to Mercedes' strengths, based on last year's data,'' Horner said in his column for Red Bull.

Key moment for Red Bull

''Portimao was a good addition to the calendar last year, the surface will hopefully have weathered in a little bit as the newly resurfaced circuit was very slippery. Barcelona is the benchmark we all have so much data from so it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.''

''I am excited for both races and you can be sure that we are full of energy and motivation. If we can put Mercedes under a little bit of pressure at these tracks then that bodes well for the rest of the year. I always said it would take four races to get a clear picture of form, so now is the acid test,'' concludes the Red Bull Racing team boss.