Red Bull is facing a “real test” over the potential of its current car at the Singapore Grand Prix next weekend, according to technical director Pierre Waché.
The season has largely been dominated by McLaren, who has won 12 out of the 17 races held so far.
Red Bull has claimed four victories, two of which have come at the previous two rounds in Italy and Azerbaijan, respectively.
The event at Monza earlier this month saw Red Bull introduce a new floor, which aided Verstappen's run to back-to-back victories.
But as it takes the new part to a high downforce street track in Singapore, Waché is expecting a fresh challenge will await Red Bull.
“We brought a new floor, it looks like it's working,” he told the F1 Nation podcast.
“Maybe also some setup arrangement with this new floor that gives us a possibility [to compete].
“It looks like we are more competitive again at a low-downforce track.
“We will see in Singapore where we are. That is not normally our type of track. It will be the real test.
“If we are competitive there and we don’t lose too much ground, then we sort out our problem.”
Verstappen's duo of wins has sprouted suggestions he could become a late factor in the title battle.
Waché stated it is too early to make assumptions as he highlighted the team's primary focus is on beating Mercedes and Ferrari to second in the constructors' standings.
“I don't know [about] that. It’s race by race and you have to realise that is so difficult to win a race, so difficult to win this competition.
“We won two races in a row, it’s too quick to say that we are in contention.
“Our focus is to make the car as quick as possible.
“The main focus is also to beat Ferrari and Mercedes in the constructors’ championship.”
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding, as they look back on the Azerbaijan Grand Prix! Oscar Piastri's shock Baku crashes are a major talking point, as is whether Max Verstappen has drawn himself back into the F1 title fight.
Rather watch the podcast? Then click here!
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