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Red Bull feels it has Ferrari on the ropes in F1 teams' battle

Red Bull has 'nothing to fear' from Ferrari and can turn its attentions to chasing Formula 1's dominant force Mercedes, reckons Christian Horner

The gap between second-placed Ferrari and Red Bull in the constructors' championship has closed from 37 points to just six over the last two grands prix.

When asked where Red Bull is lacking to Ferrari, Horner replied: "Nowhere. We have a very strong car, strong drivers, the engine is improving.

"I don't think there is anything really to fear.

"We outscored Ferrari by 15 points at Silverstone [before gaining more from Nico Rosberg's penalty] and we outscored them by 13 points in Austria.

"We have some of the more powerful circuits out of the way like Montreal, Baku and Austria and the circuits coming up hopefully play to some of our strengths.

"It's going to be a tight battle with them for the rest of the year."

Horner also believes Red Bull can challenge Mercedes on pure pace at favourable events, including next weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.

"There are still areas where we can find time and performance but we're actually in the race with Mercedes now at certain circuits which is great to see," he said.

"Hopefully there are circuits coming up like the next one where maybe we can sneak a bit closer still."

Despite Red Bull creeping closer, Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene insisted his team is focused on Mercedes ahead rather than trying to defend second.

"The fact that Red Bull performed well is good for Formula 1, good for competition, good for the show," he said.

"I still think our target is Mercedes, not Red Bull.

"At this stage of the season, if I say we're going to give up it's not absolutely correct."

Kimi Raikkonen agreed with his boss, adding: "The aim is to improve and go forward and not just defend something.

"We are aiming to catch Mercedes but Red Bull was better than us [at Silverstone].

"Is it going to be the same in the next races? I don't know.

"We have been stronger than them overall mainly, but this weekend definitely not."

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