Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner believes the squad was “hugely exposed” by its power deficit compared to rivals Ferrari at Formula 1’s British Grand Prix.
The increase in downforce levels and consequent quicker corner speed has transformed Silverstone into a power-limited circuit as opposed to an aero-limited venue.
The Renault-powered Red Bull squad qualified off the pace in fifth and sixth while neither Max Verstappen nor Daniel Ricciardo were in contention for victory in race trim.
Verstappen retired due to a brake-by-wire failure in the closing stages as Ricciardo came across the line in fifth spot, having been unable to usurp Valtteri Bottas, who was struggling on used tyres.
“If you look at the rear wings on the cars we’re running Spa levels of downforce,” said Horner.
“I think in qualifying every single corner we were quicker than Sebastian [Vettel] but we just lose time down the straights
“We were just hugely exposed in both defence and attack.
“You could see at the restart with Kimi [Raikkonen], it was a bit like Mexico 2015, the amount of additional power.
“Then at the second restart he had a moment at Stowe, at the restart, and was still all over Max in Turns 2, 3.
“And unfortunately for Daniel he just couldn’t attack Valtteri whilst having a superior tyre and grip and performance, even with the DRS open we were still dropping back.
“You look at the percentage that we’re off, it relates to about a seven per cent delta in power around this circuit, and on our vision that is about what we saw.”
The British Grand Prix marked Red Bull’s first failure to record a podium finish since the collision between Ricciardo and Verstappen in Azerbaijan.
The team has now slipped 68 points behind Mercedes in the standings, with Ferrari a further 20 in front atop the pack.
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