Red Bull boss Christian Horner has confirmed a “danger” warning from Lewis Hamilton about their current domination.
The reigning champions have won every race so far in 2023 by a considerable margin over the rest of the grid thanks to their all-conquering RB19.
However, the line from Red Bull has been that their current advantage will diminish towards the end of this season and into next year because of their lack of wind tunnel time.
But speaking after the Spanish Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen crossed the finish line 24 seconds ahead of the two Mercedes’, Hamilton warned that might not happen.
“I think we’re going in the right direction, I know we have something in the pipeline moving forward so I’m hoping, at least by the end of the year, it would be great if we could challenge them,” the seven-time world champion said.
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“But I’m more focused on making sure that we have the car next year to challenge them from day one.
“The further we continue to push this car this year, the more that impacts next year also, in some ways, but the more we learn about this car also then sets us in the right direction, so it’s trying to find the right balance.
“They [Red Bull] are so far ahead and you know, ultimately, Max will continue to win this year.
“But that means that they can start on their development for next year sooner, earlier than everybody else, if they haven’t already, and that’s the danger.
“So we’ve just got to keep working hard, but also try and get the right balance.”
Indeed, speaking with Channel 4, Horner admitted attention is already turning to the RB20, as well as the other big projects going on back at base.
“There’s a lot going on,” he said.
“I mean, we’re building an engine for 2026. That’s consuming a lot of focus in the background, and obviously, we’re having to start thinking about next year’s car as well now.
“But you know, the motivation in the factory is just sky high and you have to remember we came off the back of some very difficult years, and so the days like [Spain], they really mean something.
“You never lose that feeling of a victory or take it for granted because for sure, there will be difficult days ahead, but it’s days like [Sunday] that you have to keep in your memory bank.
“I think the guys in Milton Keynes have just done such an amazing job that this is one of the best cars we’ve ever produced, and to win that race by 24 seconds, with no Safety Cars or anything like that, was a great performance.”
