Horner: RBR to benefit from cost-cutting

Although the team have been well funded by owner Dietrich Mateschitz, Horner believes they have still been at a disadvantage compared to many of their manufacturer rivals in terms of development resources.

However, he is hopeful that the money-saving measures such as wind tunnel use restrictions that were agreed by the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) and the FIA last month will shift the competitive balance in favour of teams like Red Bull Racing.

"For an independent team like Red Bull Racing, the rules do create a more level playing field," Horner told autosport.com. "With the restrictions that are coming into play, pretty much everyone has the same tools at their disposal.

"It's very easy to overlook that we are an independent team. We have got great strength of depth in people and the infrastructure is very strong. But as a non-works team, we lack the depth of manufacturer research and development and analysis. With the regulation changes, that becomes irrelevant.

"The regulation changes create opportunities and we will be looking to punch above our weight in 2009."

Horner added that he was happy with the progress the team have made during winter testing so far and is looking forward to the first test of their new RB5 at Jerez on February 9.

Although the team did not run as many 2009 aerodynamic developments as other teams during the tests held so far, Horner thinks they have not lost out - especially as the priority was to give new-signing Sebastian Vettel track time and increase their understanding of the new Bridgestone slick tyres.

"We had a very specific plan that we have run to," said Horner. "We're happy with what we have learned. It has been mainly focused on tyre evaluations and we're happy with what we have done.

"Sebastian has settled into the team very quickly. Obviously he had done some running for us at the beginning of 2008 and in September. We're very content with our winter testing programme and are looking forward to the new car."