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Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says that the team will reset over the summer break with the hope of coming back even stronger at the end of August. Red Bull entered the 2017 season hoping to challenge Mercedes for both titles after the German team dominated the sport since 2014.
However, the team fell behind even further from Mercedes while Ferrari slipped past. Despite closing the gap as the season went on, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the Milton Keynes squad will not be rising to a late title fight challenge.
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"I think we're behind where we want to be, but we're working hard to get onto the front foot," Horner said in an interview with Red Bull’s website. "I think we are going to treat the second half of the season as a reset and see what we can achieve over the next nine Grands Prix."
Despite its fall in form, Red Bull managed to pick up a race victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Horner believes that there was a momentum shift after the start of the European season before Daniel Ricciardo went on the claim a win at the hectic race in Baku.
"We've managed since the beginning of the European season to really gain momentum. So going into the summer break, six podiums, including a Grand Prix victory and third in the championship is where we currently sit. I think the most pleasing aspect is how the car has developed, particularly, as I say, from Spain onwards, and in recent races we've started to have really competitive outings."
Horner went on to say that the team will do all it can to make sure it pulls in Mercedes and Ferrari out in front. Red Bull is 84 points clear of Force India in third place but a concerning 134 behind Ferrari who are attempting to regain the championship lead from Mercedes.
"I think the team is working very well collectively," he said. "We're getting performance on the car, we've got some venues coming up that hopefully will suit us and we'll keep pushing all the way to the final race in Abu Dhabi.
"There is a big gap between us and the cars ahead but there are opportunities in the remaining races and we're going to be going all out to try and achieve what we can. Obviously the lessons you learn apply to next year anyway."
Fergal Walsh
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
C. Sainz jr
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f1fan0101
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Just come back strong in 2018....