RED BULL team principal Christian Horner is expecting a fierce tussle with Mercedes and Ferrari this season.
After romping to the F1 constructors’ championship last year, all points return to zero ahead of this weekend’s opening Grand Prix in Bahrain.
Red Bull are favourites again, but Horner knows “our opponents are fiercely competitive and they won’t be standing still”.
Speaking exclusively to SunSport, Horner said: “Our biggest threats this year would have to be both Ferrari and Mercedes. They are going to be fiercely competitive.
“With the quality of their drivers, both of those teams are always dangerous.”
Ferrari finished second last year, with Mercedes’ run as eight-time consecutive constructors’ champs crashing to an end with Toto Wolff’s team in third.
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Both teams were over 200 points behind Red Bull in the standings as Max Verstappen won the drivers’ title with four races to spare.
Red Bull looked most impressive during testing last week but it’s hoped 2023 could prove more competitive than last year.
On the final day of testing in Bahrain, Sergio Perez topped the time-sheets with Lewis Hamilton in second and Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz fourth and fifth.
Horner also predicted that those outside the top three teams could be more of a threat.
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He said: “The competition will be very stiff from the front running teams.
“I think the grid as a whole, in this second year of these new regulations, will start to converge and I’m expecting some really competitive racing.”
The issue of porpoising, where cars would bump up and down, was a major issue for teams last season and updates to resolve the issue are sure to have an impact on the order according to Horner.
He said: “The core specifications will inevitably have an effect (on results) and of course it is whichever team manages to deal with those regulation changes. The best will prevail.”
Horner admits that topping last year in which Verstappen won his second consecutive drivers’ championship will be a tough ask.
Speaking as PokerStars launch their 2023 partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing, Horner said: “2022 was the most incredible year for us and the most successful season in our history. To retain the drivers’ championship and to reclaim the constructor’s championship after an eight-year absence was a monumental performance by the whole team.
“I think it will be very difficult to beat the season we had in 2022 but of course you must always try to do better.
“You’re always learning in this business, applying the lessons that you learnt from last year and implementing them into the following year.”
The 2023 season will see 23 Grand Prix across the globe, with the addition of Las Vegas to the calendar which is something Horner is looking forward to.
He said: “The race that will generate the most interest in 2023 is unquestionably Las Vegas.
“The introduction of Vegas to the calendar made a lot of noise, it is a big venue and everyone has immense expectations.”
The team principal cut a relaxed and confident figure during testing but if Mercedes and Ferrari can show they're in the fight it will be a different story come lights out on Sunday.
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PokerStars’ partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing will see even more community rewards and epic experiences during the 2023 F1 season. For details visit: PokerStars.com
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