Red Bull team boss Christian Horner believes next month's Mexican Grand Prix provides the final expected opportunity to challenge for victory this season.
The Milton Keynes outfit looked set to challenge Mercedes and Ferrari harder in 2018, with Daniel Ricciardo winning in China and Monaco before Max Verstappen triumphed in Austria.
Engine gains by their two rivals and an apparent early switch in car development have left Red Bull trailing even if Max has claimed podiums in five of the last eight races with 140 points between them and Ferrari in the Constructors' standings.
Last year though, it was the Dutchman who won at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez with the thin air negating their power deficit.
“I think realistically Mexico is probably the only shot we have got left, under normal circumstances,” Horner admitted ahead of the Russian GP. “Hopefully we can get a few more podiums in before the end of the year."
Sights have seemingly already been set with the team taking engine penalties this weekend in Sochi to introduce a fresh engine ahead of the Mexico race.
Interestingly though, they have switched back to the more tried and tested Spec B Renault unit rather than the more powerful Spec C because of reliability concerns.
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For Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, however, what happens between now and Abu Dhabi is largely irrelevant.
“The euphoria has given way to reality, we have fallen behind Mercedes and Ferrari,” he told Kronen Zeitung newspaper. “We want to end the year as well as possible, but our focus is clearly on 2019."
As has now become the normal team line regarding next season, hopes are higher for a more competitive year as they change engine supplier.
“We are seeing an extreme commitment and great energy from the Honda side and our side as well, of course,” he said.
“After Singapore, some of our leading people flew to Tokyo where the exchange of ideas is intensifying. It’s the first time Red Bull has had an engine manufacturer behind us.
“We have good numbers from the factory so far and Honda is enjoying the benefit of insight from four cars. The (2019) car will be ready on time," he added
“We want to be competitive right from the start and drive for victories. Whether it’s enough for the title I cannot say now, but our target must always be this.”
