Christian Horner says Red Bull has never enjoyed such a successful start to an F1 season, but the Briton has warned however why things could change 'quite quickly' for the bulls.
Last Sunday in Miami, Red Bull conquered its fifth win of 2023, the Milton Keynes-based outfit upholding its 100 per cent win rate this year thanks to Max Verstappen's victory in Florida.
It was also the team's fourth 1-2 of the year, with Sergio Perez completing the team's triumph thanks to his runner-up spot behind Verstappen.
Red Bull's drivers are currently running in a league of their own, a country mile ahead of their Ferrari and Mercedes rivals, and of 'Mister best of the rest, namely Fernando Alonso.
Mercedes is expected to introduce its first major upgrade package at Imola next week, a change that should establish a new baseline for the Brackley squad from where it can develop its contender.
Updates are also expected to be implemented in upcoming events by Ferrari which has painfully underperformed since the start of the season.
Horner admits that Red Bull has never enjoyed, at the outset of a campaign, such a competitive advantage.
But the Briton isn't taking the latter for granted and is wary that its rivals developments could eventually see them breathing down the bulls' neck.
"Five races, five wins plus the sprint, and four one-two finishes - we've never had a start like this and we're kind of wondering 'where are the others?'," Horner told Sky Sports.
"We've made a normal step, we think, over the winter, and it's more where did Ferrari and Mercedes go?
"I'm sure they're working on big upgrades for Europe and with the penalty we have to develop the car later in the year, it's important we have to get as much fresh air between ourselves and the opposition at this stage.
"I keep hearing of massive upgrades for Mercedes coming and significant ones for Ferrari.
"So, you know, if they do have a B-spec car then things can change quite quickly.
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This year, Red Bull must compose with a lesser allocation of aerodynamic testing than its rivals, a reduction justified by its position at the top of the Constructors' standings at the end of last year, but also, and above all, by the penalty levied upon the team by the FIA for breaching F1's cost cap rules.
Times at Milton Keynes is therefore being used as effectively as possible, but Horner sees development "converging" as the season unfolds.
"Of course, we have the restrictions in the development tools that we have imposed on us this year but I think the team are doing a very effective, very efficient job," he added.
"I think you'll see from the next race, there are big upgrades coming and we're having to be super-selective in what we test and how we develop the car.
"Thankfully, the car has got off to a great start and therefore we're not having to solve big issues and problems.
"We're able to focus on those incremental gains, but I do expect it still to converge later in the year."
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