Christian Horner confident in Red Bull's ability to fend off Mercedes threat in Formula 1 season

Christian Horner, Red Bull Team Principal, acknowledged the "strong" strides made by Mercedes through their recent upgrades but expressed unwavering belief in his team's ability to withstand any challenges for the remainder of the Formula 1 season.

Max Verstappen's commanding victory at the Spanish Grand Prix marked one of Red Bull's most dominant performances this year, extending his lead in the Drivers' Championship to an impressive 53 points.

Although Mercedes secured second and third places with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, this race was their first at a non-street circuit with the upgraded car. The Brackley team's progress propelled them to second place in the Constructors' Championship, showcasing promising race pace that prevented Sergio Perez's second Red Bull from reclaiming a podium position.

When queried by Sky Sports F1 about any concerns regarding Mercedes' improved showing, Horner retorted, "They were still 23 seconds behind at the race's conclusion."

He continued, "They've made a good step, but we have some developments in the pipeline. They've had a substantial upgrade, and we have some components scheduled for later in the season."

Acknowledging Mercedes' calibre, Horner asserted, "Without a doubt, it's a significant stride. They are a quality team, and they will undoubtedly exert pressure on us in the latter half of the year."

He added, "The dynamics are shifting. Lando Norris' qualifying lap was remarkable, and Mercedes seemed strong in the race as well. Surprisingly, the Ferraris didn't showcase the anticipated pace, so the order behind us appears to be fluctuating considerably at present. It's challenging to predict each team's performance at specific events."