Red Bull confident of matching Mercedes, Ferrari in 2019

Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko says Honda will significantly close the gap to Ferrari and Mercedes in 2019, predicting that the team will be able to bridge the gap with their chassis. Races like Monaco and Mexico this season have suggested that the Red Bull chassis is the best on the grid, but they have struggled to compete elsewhere due to Renault's lack of power.

Daniel Ricciardo's victory in Monte Carlo and Max Verstappen's in Mexico City were similarly dominant as engine power was equalised at the respective events.

Red Bull have issued plenty of positive previews ahead of their 2019 switch from Renault to Honda, with the Japanese marque attempting to fix a reputation damaged by their run with McLaren.

2 years ???? 2 wins ???????? 138 laps led of 142 laps raced ???? = MAX-ico ???? @Max33Verstappen #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/HLc2YeSLUl — Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) October 29, 2018

But Marko's latest claim will turn heads, and give hope that a routine three-way battle for supremacy will follow in 2019.

"We already have the numbers from the new wings and it makes us very optimistic," Marko told Auto Motor und Sport.

"We expect that Honda will be only 10 kilowatts behind Ferrari and Mercedes. We think we can compensate for this with a good chassis."

The Brazilian GP is next up and the characteristics of the Interlagos circuit are set to hamper Red Bull once again, but Marko says Red Bull's complaints are not taken seriously elsewhere.

"No one ever wants to believe it when we keep saying it," Marko said.

"In Brazil, it will be difficult for us again because of the long uphill straights. But let's see what we can do in Abu Dhabi. Our car currently seems to be very fast."

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