- Red Bull
Title not won in Melbourne - Mateschitz
Dietrich Mateschitz has played down Red Bull's early struggles in Jerez, insisting a slow start in the championship would not spell the end of the team's title ambitions.
Red Bull suffered a nightmare start to pre-season, chalking up just 21 laps in Jerez as they were hit with numerous problems throughout the week. Teams such as Mercedes and McLaren took big steps forward in Jerez and will arrive at the next test in Bahrain looking to further increase their advantage over the reigning champions.
But team owner Mateschitz is not panicking about Red Bull's struggles to get to grips with the Renault engine - insisting a 19-race calendar means a slow start would not be a disaster.
"A deficit at the beginning of the season does not automatically mean that the world title is lost," Mateschitz told Salzburger Nachrichten. "Even if you come from behind, you still have a chance."
The Austrian also believes it is the Renault engine, and not the RB10, which is the problem.
"Our current problems are not with the team, but in the engine area. The team has more than excellent know-how," Mateschitz said.
"These were the more-or-less expected teething problems with a new engine, which was being tested for the first time on a track. [The RB10] is very positive because it is more than just 'state of the art' again, as can be seen in the details. The moment of truth will come at the first race in Melbourne."
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