Helmut Marko says Red Bull is targeting third place in the constructors' championship this season once Renault updates come through.
Red Bull will run Renault power units tagged as Tag Heuer this season following a breakdown in the relationship between team and engine supplier last season. Renault has already delivered a step forward with its power unit this year and has major upgrades in the pipeline which Marko believes will allow Red Bull to pull clear of the midfield.
“It seems that with the engine development things are going in the right direction,” Marko told the official Formula 1 website. “But, to bridge the gap to the leading engines, that will take some time.
“For the first half of the season I see Mercedes doing one-two finishes as long as they do not screw-up, then I see Ferrari and a tight fight between Williams, Force India, Toro Rosso and Red Bull Racing behind them.
“From midseason onwards our power unit situation should improve - and that makes me believe that P3 should be feasible.”
Renault's power unit was a solid and reliable runner during pre-season testing, with Daniel Ricciardo saying a "big step" is expected in the races following the start of the European season.
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