Red Bull will hope to continue their dominance over Ferrari as Formula One returns from the mid-season break.
The Milton Keynes team have a 14-point advantage over the Italians in the Constructors’ Championship but lie 159 points behind Mercedes.
Christian Horner’s leadership of his team has been impressive as talented driver Max Verstappen has come through Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso.
Whilst Daniel Ricciardo has equally improved since he has worn the famous Red and Blue.
Though the team boss told Motorsport.com that he is aware that one day there may be a battle between the drivers for supremacy, as Mercedes are experiencing this year: With Max and Daniel we’ve got one of-if not the most-exciting driver pairings in F1.
I think as long as we deal with it in an open and honest manner and it’s clear what the objectives of the team are, we will deal with any speed bumps that come our way”.
Spa is next on the Formula One Grand Prix schedule and Red Bull have not fared well in Belgium.
Daniil Kyvat, was demoted to Toro Rosso as he struggled in the early part of the season, subsequently he was replaced by Max Verstappen.
The Russian finished in fourth but Ricciardo did not finish the race in 2015 however the Australian won in Belgium two years ago, stating:
“Spa is cool and the track is amazing. It’s very historic, fast and flowing. I have had a win here so it has always been a good track to return to for me”.
Red Bull closed to within a point of Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship as Daniel Ricciardo finished in third with Max Verstappen in fifth.
The German Grand Prix returns to the Formula One race schedule this year after a break in 2015.
In 2014. The ‘Honey Badger’ finished in sixth at the Hockenheimring and the Australian should be confident of extending his strong performances over the past month:
“I think the Hockenheimring is actually a pretty fun track. I like entering the stadium section. Also the fans are huge motorsport fans, which is always pretty awesome.
Ricciardo is looking forward to his trip to Germany especially as Austria has good local food to feed his big appetite:” There are some cool little towns around the track which offer some traditional German food and after my week in Austria I can’t wait to enjoy my second round of Schnitzels.”
Verstappen will be determined to get one over his team-mate Ricciardo this weekend after his highly entertaining battle with Kimi Raikkonen.
The Dutch man and the Finn fought for fifth position in Hungary but ultimately the 18-year-old won the battle.
If Red Bull can get both cars in the top five places after qualifying, then they might overtake Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship ahead of the break at the half way stage.
Red Bull Racing Hungarian GP Preview
Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo finished in third as the Milton Keynes based team showed they have the quality to challenge Ferrari.
Max Verstappen ended the Hungarian Grand Prix in fifth but his battle with Kimi Raikkonen was the standout moment at the Hungaroring: “It was a shame because at the beginning we were quick and I tried to create a gap to the Ferraris which lead to me having to back off as I got too close to the car in front.
“Regarding my battle with Kimi I was simply protecting my position. I drove hard and just made sure I didn’t lock up or make a mistake, “said Verstappen.
Team boss Christian Horner was pleased they had one car on the podium and that Red Bull are closing on Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship: “Unfortunately Max dropped behind after the first round of stops and thereafter both drivers entered into battles with the respective Ferrari drivers.
“There was some great racing between Daniel and Seb and Max against Kimi (Raikkonen), some robust defending from our guys particularly Max, who was firm but fair holding off Kimi. It was great to see Daniel finishing on the podium again, and to close the gap on Ferrari to within one point at the halfway point of the year.”
The ‘Honey Badger’ is third in the Drivers’ Championship despite being winless in 2016 but he is confident of winning despite the challenge of Mercedes:
“Three podiums in a row here is great, it’s a good place for me. I feel really good. Fridays and Saturdays have been really good for us from the start of the season but the last few Sundays, for whatever reason, I haven’t been that satisfied with, so it was important to put it together from Friday to Sunday this weekend and I believe I did that,” said an ever smiling Ricciardo.
