Red Bull boss Christian Horner claims the team enter 2020 in their “best position” since last winning the Formula 1 title in 2013.
The Milton Keynes-based outfit underwent a year of transition this season as they switched to Honda power from Renault but still managed to claim three wins with Max Verstappen finishing third in the Drivers’ standings.
As the gaps between the top three teams also reduced significantly, that final step to challenge the dominance of Mercedes now seems more attainable than ever and Horner is confident it will be made.
“I think we’re in the best position we’ve been in since the change in regulations at the end of 2013,” he said via GPFans.
“Red Bull’s philosophy to invest in youth means we have emerging young talent in all areas of the business which is really starting to pay dividends and the team is on a charge.
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“We need to come out of the blocks competitively next year, Mercedes are still the benchmark going into next year so we need to try and push them from the first race in order to take the challenge to them,” the Briton noted.
“There is a real buzz and anticipation in the factory at the moment, so we need to capitalise on that and build on the positive momentum from 2019.
“We’ve got continuity across all aspects for next year, with aerodynamic, engine and tyre regulations plus a stable driver line-up which enables us to take all the learnings from this year and apply them into next year.
“It’s less than 100 days until the Australian Grand Prix and the factory is working flat out to get the car prepared.”
2020 is seen very much as a make or break year for Red Bull, with Verstappen out of contract at the end of the year and with options elsewhere should the team once again fail to deliver a championship-contending car.