Horner surprised at Ferrari and Mercedes: 'Where did they go?'

Christian Horner has been left baffled as to why Mercedes and Ferrari have under-delivered on their car performance in 2023.

The Red Bull team has won each of the opening five Grands Prix so far with four one-two finishes and four pole positions, with the team holding at 122-point lead at the top of the Constructors Championship.

By comparison, last year that gap was just six points with Ferrari leading the championship after the 2022 Miami Grand Prix.

"We've never ever had a start like this and we're kind of wondering, where are the others?" he said to Sky Sports.

"Because we've made a normal step over the winter and I think it's more about where did Ferrari and Mercedes go?"

Horner expects others to improve

Despite this impressive start to the season, Horner expects the other teams to catch up once they reach the regular races Europe and Red Bull's aero development penalty starts to come into effect.

"I'm sure they have been working hard on big upgrades for Europe," he explained.

"With the penalty we have to develop the car later in the year, it's important for us to get as much fresh air as we can between ourselves and the opposition at this stage."

As part of F1's sliding aero rules in 2023, Red Bull has the least amount of wind tunnel and CFD access to develop their car compared to everyone else on the grid.

This is coupled with the cost cap penalty that was applied last year, which Horner has previously stated affects the 'daily decisions' of the team.