Red Bull confidence builds as momentum grows

Every winter there is always one team that shouts the loudest.

Twelve months ago it was Ferrari, the Italian manufacturers were sure that 2016 was going to be their year, their developments would see them not only match but better the all conquering Mercedes team who had taken back-to-back titles with Lewis Hamilton.

In the end not only did Mercedes dominance not come to and end, with Nico Rosberg claiming the title, but Ferrari were also soundly beaten by Red Bull Racing.

This year, it is RBR who are the loudest team, declaring that their charge towards the end of 2016 will take them into 2017 and with new aerodynamic regulations coming into play they believe they will be the ones challenging Mercedes.

‘It feels like we are building momentum. 2016 has been all about building that momentum and there is a feeling of real optimism within the team that if we can nudge a bit closer on the engine?chassis we are hoping to come up with a good car to give our guys the tools to fight Mercedes next year,’ Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner told Sky Sports.

‘2017 is a clean sheet of paper and no one knows where the opposition are. We’ve been quite good with regulation changes before, but nothing can be taken for granted, We are hoping similar progress can be made with the engine and if that happens I think we have two very capable drivers of taking the fight to Mercedes.

‘Mercedes will be the favourites heading into next year, but if we can narrow that gap down and put them under a bit of pressure it would be great for everyone.’

Will Red Bull Racing back up their talk away from the track? Or come up short like Ferrari?

We don’t have long to wait.