Mercedes’ lackluster performances in Monaco and Baku have allowed Red Bull to take the lead in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championship battles.
But while Red Bull has been setting the pace lately, it has no illusions about the Mercedes team’s strengths and is aware that returning to more traditional circuits instead of street circuits will help.
Honda’s F1 technical director Toyoharu Tanabe said the Japanese engine maker is keeping its feet on the ground despite its early season success.
“Mercedes is not a quiet team,” he said. “Of course I think they will come back [Baku] The results are good, but that doesn’t mean we’ll be good in the upcoming races. “
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Max Verstappen is currently four points ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the drivers’ championship after he was able to extend his lead in Baku due to a late tire damage.
He knows that the next races at Paul Ricard and at the Red Bull Ring could be particularly good for Mercedes.
“I think Mercedes is stronger on normal tracks, so I would have liked a little more leeway” [in Baku]“He told Ziggo Sport TV.
“We know they’ll be strong on the normal tracks. But we will see. We had positive weekends because the car was really strong in the race.
“I don’t think anyone threatened us during the race, so that’s a positive sign.”
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner is just as fascinated by how the return of Formula 1 to regular racetracks affects the battle between his team and Mercedes.
“Now we’re going back to more classic tracks, that will be interesting,” he said. “But it’s a lot of game.”
However, one aspect that Verstappen is particularly excited about is the fact that Red Bull appears to be gaining strength as the season progresses after having the potential for a 1-2 finish in Baku.
Coupled with the progress Honda has made, the Dutchman says there are very positive signs.
“I think Honda has made a good step forward so far this year,” he said. “I think we are very close in performance. Sometimes it can be difficult to say with wing level or whatever, but I think overall we are getting closer and closer.”
“It’s not just about engine performance, it’s about a lot of different things that you have to be good at with the engine. But yes, we’re getting better and better, which is of course great to see.”
Additional reporting from Ken Tanaka and Mark Bremer
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