Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has warned the Austrian outfit that it is "decisive" that it finds the final "last hundredths" to challenge McLaren in the Singapore Grand Prix.
The Marina Bay Circuit has been a difficult venue for Red Bull in recent seasons; however, Max Verstappen showed promising pace on the opening day.
Fitted with a new front wing introduced by the Milton Keynes-based squad in Singapore, the four-time world champion ended both first and second practice in third position.
The Dutchman ended second practice just over one-tenth adrift of Oscar Piastri, who topped the timesheets ahead of an impressive performance by Isack Hadjar.
Crucially, it was the best Friday Red Bull has experienced in Singapore for several years, leaving Marko feeling very optimistic.
"It was definitely our best Friday in a long time here in Singapore," Marko told Sky DE. "I think we are very close.
"In the end, though, it will be decisive to get the last hundredths out. We still have a few small problems, but overall both Max and the engineers are happy with the car."
Despite Marko's optimism, it was still a McLaren on top, while Lando Norris was down in fifth on the timesheets.
The Briton's FP2 was impacted by being put into the pit wall by Charles Leclerc, with Norris having more pace than he showed.
Ultimately, Marko recognises that qualifying will be pivotal, but that Verstappen is in genuine contention against the McLaren duo.
"Lando Norris had that problem of Charles Leclerc pushing him against the wall," added Marko. "I would say we have definitely come closer, but Saturday will be decisive.
"How do you get the last hundredths out? As already said, it's about hundredths."
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Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes and Nick Golding, as they dissect the opening day of track action at the Marina Bay Circuit!
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