Red Bull deny major upgrade introduction

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has denied speculation that the outfit is set to introduce a major upgrades package at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. 

The Milton Keynes-based team has introduced upgrades at back-to-back events in Saudi Arabia and Miami; however, only Max Verstappen's car has received the new parts this weekend. 

Verstappen's RB21 has been fitted with a new floor, whilst Yuki Tsunoda has the old-spec for the sixth round of the season. 

Horner shut down the rumours of a significant brand-new package for Imola, and insisted that any upgrades are minor due to the upcoming introduction of the new power unit regulations.

"Well, first of all, there is no big update, I don't know where this has come from for Imola," Horner told select media, including RacingNews365. "We're at the stage of these regulations where it's all incremental gains."

The championship is entering a fascinating point, with new rules being introduced in Barcelona in regard to the stiffness of the front wings. 

McLaren has been tipped by many to suffer a performance blow from the Spanish Grand Prix, something the Woking-based team has denied. 

Horner is unsure if the new rules will make claiming the title more possible for Red Bull, with the team focusing on improving its own performance. 

"The change at round nine, it will be a change," added Horner. How that will affect the different cars with the stiffening of the front wings, who knows how that will play out? 

"I think that, obviously, we've been unhappy at certain races this year with our performance, but we've still been dragging results out of the car.

"We're the only team who have won a race at the moment, other than McLaren this year, we've had a couple of poles as well. We're working very hard to improve the car and improve that situation. 

"So being only 12 points away at this stage, junction of the championship, there's a long, long way to go. This championship is an absolute marathon. I don't think you can exclude anybody in the top, probably six, at the moment, as a potential contender, such is the length. 

"And I think if last year teaches us anything, things can change very quickly. Who knows how that front wing change will play out, whether some will benefit, some will lose, only time will tell."