Horner still banking on Mercedes as favourites

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Red Bull Racing's Christian Horner is still pointing to Mercedes as the clear favourites for the season which kicks off in a week's time in Australia.

Regardless of the outcome of pre-season testing in Barcelona which saw Ferrari edge out the Silver Arrows with Red Bull right behind, and despite the progress made by his own team last season, Horner is calling the German team "total favourites".

"Mercedes is the clear, clear favourite," he told the official F1 website.

"They have won 50 races in the last three years, we've won five and Ferrari. Do I have to say more?

"The regulation changes aren't that big. There have been times with equally big changes: refuelling/no refuelling; blown diffusers and no blown diffusers; a change from Bridgestone to Pirelli.

"One thing is crystal clear: good teams adapt."

Webber not judging Red Bull pre-season pace

Horner is confident in the efficiency and performance imbedded in its RB13 challenger, but how it will measure up against the opposition when the season gets underway is anyone's guess.

"Yes, we've made a good car, a good basis of a car that we will hopefully be able to develop effectively through the year.

"Renault has had a busy winter as well and hopefully the TAG Heuer-branded engine in our car will perform well this season. How well, and what the others will find, is pure speculation."

The British manager insisted on the engineering input for the RB13's conception of design guru Adrian Newey.

"Adrian definitely has his mojo back again," he adds.

"Right now he is juggling two projects - the Aston Martin car and the RB13 - but he's got a great team and together they are doing a super job.

"Adrian is contributing effectively into that. It's great to see him enthused again about Formula 1."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.