Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache has hit back at Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who claimed that the Austrian outfit’s engine is the “benchmark”, questioning whether a “game” is being played.
Despite many expecting Mercedes to have the most dominant package, it is Red Bull’s RB22 that has grabbed the most attention across the tests in Barcelona and Bahrain.
The Milton Keynes-based outfit appears to have done a remarkable job on its first F1 engine, having become a full factory team for the first time in its history.
Wolff, George Russell, Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz have all spoken highly of Red Bull’s car, raising questions about whether it is the early favourite.
While Wache has confirmed that Red Bull is very pleased with the current performance of its engine, he has disagreed with Wolff’s comments that it is the engine to beat.
Asked if Mercedes is correct assessing Red Bull's engine as package to beat, Wache responded to F1TV: "I don't agree with that. No, I don't know, to be honest, they [Red Bull PowerTrains] did a very good job.
"What you have to recognise is that this engine development they've been doing for a little bit more than three years.
"They did a very good job to be able to run. Saying that it's a benchmark, I'm not convinced. And maybe it's a game that some competitors are doing.
"But on our side, we are very happy with what we have, how we are able to run the car and don't have a massive issue with the engine. I think it's the main point that we have."
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