Red Bull says Mercedes still favourites

Race winner Lewis Hamilton second Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Ferrari and third placed finisher Max Verstappen on the podium during the Formula One Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on April 9, 2017 in Shanghai, China.
23 March 2018 by    1 min read

Mar.23 - Max Verstappen has hit back at the claim that Red Bull is the favourite in Melbourne.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton put the favourite tag on the energy drink-owned team, but Dutchman Verstappen thinks his biggest obstacle remains the Renault engine.

Asked what progress Renault has made over the winter, he answered: "Not too much."

Hamilton had said Red Bull was favourite because Melbourne is a high downforce track, but team boss Christian Horner thinks engine power is still king.

"The drivers are on the throttle for a lot of the lap so this should be one of Mercedes' strongest tracks," he said.

Not only that, Mercedes' engine consumes less fuel as well.

"Because we're slower on the straights, we spend more time at full throttle," Verstappen confirmed.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel also said Mercedes is the clear favourite at least early in 2018.

"We are in good form but could be better," admitted the German.

"If it was just one race, it would be a different story," said Vettel. "But the season is long."

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