• F1

  • Drivers

Sebastian Vettel News

News

  • News
  • Results
  • Previous Seasons
More from F1
  • F1 Home
  • Drivers

Red Bull's Christian Horner reckons Mercedes are a second clear of the field

Team boss says RB10 deficit down to driveability of Renault power unit

By Mike Wise

Last Updated: 20/03/14 12:33pm

Christian Horner: Reckoned Mercedes did not stretch themselves in Melbourne
Christian Horner: Reckoned Mercedes did not stretch themselves in Melbourne

Sunday's race in Melbourne lived up to the expectations of many, with Nico Rosberg taking the chequered flag for the Silver Arrows comfortably clear of the field. Engine problems meant that team-mate Lewis Hamilton joined World Champion Sebastian Vettel in early retirement, but any anxiety Red Bull felt after their pre-season reliability problems was eased considerably by Daniel Ricciardo's run to second place.

The race result remains provisional after Ricciardo's car was subsequently disqualified for a fuel infringement but Horner expressed relief that at least one of their cars had managed to complete a full race distance.

"I think Mercedes is definitely extremely quick and I should think they were driving to a pace rather than being stretched," he said.

"They've probably got more up their sleeve, so we've got quite a lot of work to do. What's encouraging is compared to the rest of the field, we well exceeded our expectations.

"To be racing McLarens and Ferraris after the pre-season that we've had; by the 20th lap we were into new territory in terms of distance completed by the car."

With Horner reckoning that Mercedes are a good second clear of the rest, he is anticipating more of the same in Malaysia next week, with Williams also looking strong.

"I'm sure they didn't fully extend themselves and it looks like they have at least a second in the pocket," Horner said.

Valtteri Bottas' charges through the Albert Park field were also highlights and Horner added: "If [Williams] had a clean race today, they'd have been right there."

Horner said Red Bull's deficit is most keenly felt on the straights and he pinpointed a lack of driveability of Renault's new power unit as the cause.

"Ninety per cent of the issues are software-related - how the energy recovery system is working with the combustion engine," he added.

"We're tremendously restricted in the driveability of the car - how the torque is delivered - which obviously affects straightline speeds.

"I think there is room for an awful lot of improvement, but it's working between the engineers in Milton Keynes and Viry-Chatillon to make sure we get the most out of it."

Trending

  • 1
    Wenger's first year: Merse's insight
  • 2
    Mourinho issues Pogba challenge
  • 3
    Conte: Jose had it easier than me
  • 4
    'Offers will flood in for Wenger'
  • 5
    'Proud' Ozil pays tribute to Wenger
  • 6
    Salah: Golden Boot is my aim
  • 7
    Merson's predictions
  • 8
    Khan wants 'massive' Brook battle
  • 9
    Papers: Arsenal in Allegri battle
  • 10
    Who next for Arsenal?
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Motorsport
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • WWE
    • eSports
    • More Sports
    • Winter Olympics
    • Commonwealth Games
    • Joshua vs Parker
  • Score Centre
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Competitions
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Pub Finder
    • Team Sky
    • Sportswomen
    • Sports Scholarships
    • Clubs in Communities
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Living for Sport
    • Contact Us
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Sky.com
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
    • Team Sky
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Sky Sports Pub Finder
    • Living for Sport
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Corporate
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Now TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Sky Academy
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Work for Sky
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

©2018 Sky UK