Red Bull are fully fired up for the Battle of Paul Ricard, team boss Christian Horner upbeat about his team's chances, on a track expected to suit Mercedes, and says beating the World Champions on Sunday would mean they can do it anywhere.
The RB16B was formidable in qualifying for the French Grand Prix, particularly in Max Verstappen's genius hands, taking pole by a quarter of a second over title rival Lewis Hamilton, which means the pair will start the race from the first row with their wingmen behind them.
Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull admitted he made a mistake during his final hot lap in Q3 which in his cost his team a front-row lockout such was the pace in their package which surprised everyone in the Blue garage.
Victory in France could be decisive as it would mark a true change in the pecking order at the sharp end of F1. Red Bull boss Christian Horner said as much to Sky F1: "If we can beat them here, really we can beat them anywhere. So there's a lot at stake."
Indeed there is. For Verstappen he will be wanting to extend his four-point lead at the top of the drivers' standings; for Red Bull with Perez in play, the goal is to inflict more damage, as they did in Baku, to increase the gap from the current 26 points.
Of the Dutchman's sensational fifth F1 career pole, Horner said: "It was another great performance from Max today and it’s fantastic to see him take our first pole position in France. Together we’ve been improving the car throughout the weekend and to have Checo up there as well, building on the momentum from his Baku victory, is a great Team performance.
"Starting from pole certainly gives us confidence but we’re expecting Mercedes to be very competitive tomorrow. This circuit has been such a stronghold for them over recent years so it will be important to see if we can beat them here.
"There’s a lot at stake and a long way to go in this championship but the whole Team is working incredibly well, putting in long hours, and coming together as a unit to put the pressure on Mercedes which is phenomenal to see.
"Having two cars starting at the front also gives us different strategic options in the race and so it will be important for us to do all the basics and get clean starts, execute quick pitstops and a good strategy," added Horner.
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