Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has said the side is “not worried” about the rising threat from rival Formula 1 teams as he revealed that upgrades will be arriving soon.
The Austrian outfit’s dominance under the current ground effect regulations has been challenged more over recent rounds as the grid at the sharp end has converged.
McLaren has emerged as a consistent competitor as Lando Norris won in Miami and pushed Max Verstappen to the end at Imola, while Ferrari succeeded in Monaco.
Meanwhile, Mercedes has also recovered from its earlier setbacks this season to become a recognised contender as George Russell claimed pole position in Canada.
The competition’s inroads have come at a stage when Red Bull’s long-standing weakness with kerb-riding has become exposed on the sport’s unconventional circuits.
However, Red Bull has been tipped to return to being the benchmark in the upcoming events when how efficient a car’s aerodynamics are is the greatest differentiator.
“I believe we are on the right track to make progress soon in terms of front suspension,” Marko wrote in his SpeedWeek column.
“The three upcoming races in Spain, Austria and England will give us a more accurate picture of the current status of the various racing cars.
“These are classic tracks, while we have some atypical circuits behind us – Miami, Imola, Monaco, Montreal.”
Marko admits Red Bull’s advantage has been reduced, but he insists that the side is not concerned as it prepares to introduce “promising” developments onto the car.
“The competition has made up ground, no question about it, but we are not worried.
“There are further improvements [arriving] to the car, which are promising based on the data.
“McLaren was as strong in Canada as it was on the previous GP weekends, Mercedes was stronger, but Ferrari was weaker.
“This up and down can be explained by the specific cars and tracks.
“And also by who is best at getting the tyres into the best working window on the respective weekend and in the very special track conditions.
Ferrari closed to within 24 points behind Red Bull post-Monaco until a disastrous weekend in Montreal with a double retirement saw the gap more than double in size.
With the marque now 49 points adrift and McLaren a further 40 points back, Marko cites that Red Bull is benefitting from the chasing pack struggling to be consistent.
“This situation is a great advantage for us, that the pursuers are constantly taking turns,” he continued.
“We don’t have one opponent, but three, who are snatching points from each other. I hope it stays that way.”
