Mateschitz: STR may have early edge

On the back of the cooling issues and reliability problems that have marred the RB2's build-up to the season, Mateschitz is under no illusions that the beginning of the campaign could be a struggle for his main outfit.

And with Toro Rosso's restricted V10-engine expected to be bulletproof in terms of reliability, Mateschitz thinks it is possible that Red Bull's junior team will be their main points-scorers early on.

"There will be, at the beginning, a small advantage (for the V10) because they will have no problems with the durability," he said in an interview with Salzburger Nachrichten.

"But as time goes by the V8s will become stronger and more stable and then they will have the advantage. However, the chance to come into the points is larger perhaps at the beginning (of the year) for Toro Rosso than for Red Bull Racing."

Although Mateschitz has admitted that Red Bull Racing are behind schedule with their preparations for the year, he is not unduly concerned about the situation.

"With the overheating problems from the beginning of testing with the RB2 we lost time and the testing programme was put a little bit back," he added. "But the best lap of Christian (Klien, at Barcelona last week) was very good.

"We know it is safe to say that the new is good and that Mark Smith delivered some tidy work as chief designer. The influence of Adrian Newey coming now will begin to show.

"The engine is of course a concern in terms of reliability and we have not yet driven a full race distance. But at the beginning, all will have this problem more or less."