Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone says he is not sure Red Bull’s aero proficiency will be enough to close what he calls a “huge” advantage for Mercedes on the engine front.
The Milton Keynes-based outfit will enter the 2017 campaign as the German manufacturer’s nearest challenger after enjoying a strong recovery season. With radical bodywork changes introduced, Red Bull has been tipped for a genuine title challenge this year.
But while 2017 will see sweeping regulation changes, F1 will continue to use the 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged power units that Mercedes has harnessed to a trio of consecutive world championship doubles.
“If Red Bull believes they can beat Mercedes thanks to better aerodynamics, well I'm not so sure about that,” Ecclestone was quoted as saying to German newspaper tz.” The advantage that Mercedes has on the engine remains huge.”
That said, the 86-year-old supremo thinks Red Bull’s driver line-up, and particularly Max Verstappen, can be a credible threat if their cars are not far off Mercedes’ pace.
[Max] is a future world champion,” Ecclestone added. “He is hungry for race wins and outperforming the car; he can push the limits better than others.”
GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
While Mercedes spent the first week of the 2026 shakedown in Barcelona looking like a…
Pierre Gasly is adding a new kind of horsepower to his career. The Alpine F1…
Sweden's Jo Bonnier, who was born on this day in 1930, enjoyed a career in…
While the stopwatches and spreadsheets provided the hard data, the visual spectacle of the 2026…
Netflix is gearing up to transport viewers back to one of Formula 1’s most volatile…
The 2026 Formula 1 era roared to life in Barcelona this week, offering a first…