Red Bull is hopeful it can claw back some of the deficit to Ferrari and Mercedes without a major 2017 engine upgrade from power unit supplier Renault.
Renault recently dismissed speculation about a possible engine upgrade for the upcoming Azerbaiajan Grand Prix, stating it is expecting small improvements in Baku instead of a wholescale change to the power unit. The news is a blow to Red Bull after a slow start to the season, which has seen it linger a distant third behind the developing title fight between Ferrari and world champions Mercedes.
But Red Bull hopes there is performance gain to be found elsewhere, namely from fuel and lubricants supplier Exxon Mobil, which joined the team after ending its long-standing partnership with McLaren in 2016.