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Horner: “It would be foolish to underestimate” Ferrari going into Melbourne

18:43, 03 Mar 2020

byBevan Youl

https://www./en/teams/red-bull-racing Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner has said that “it would be foolish to underestimate” Ferrari going into Melbourne despite a quiet pre-season test and down-playing comments.

During the two weeks of pre-season testing Ferrari spent the majority of the time away from the top of the timesheets, rather focusing on themselves than top speed.

On the final day Charles Leclerc posted a quick time on the C5 tyres but the Scuderia’s team boss Mattia Binotto has played down their chances of taking victory in Mebourne.

But despite Binotto’s comments, Horner believes Ferrari will be in the mix with Mercedes and Red Bull in Australia.

“That is always the dangerous thing about pre-season testing, trying to draw too many conclusions,” Horner said, quoted by MotorsportWeek.

“Ferrari look understated at the last test but they are starting to wind it up and I think it would be foolish to underestimate them going to Melbourne.

“Mercedes are the reigning six-time World Champions and very much the favourites.

“Their form has always looked strong here and you want to have your issues in testing not when you are racing so winter testing can sometimes be a little deceptive but I think it will be the same teams fighting at the sharp end of the grid this year.”