Michael: We can match Red Bull

McLaren sporting director Sam Michael believes that the gap to Red Bull is not always that big and can be bridged – at certain circuits…

McLaren sporting director Sam Michael believes that the gap to Red Bull is not always that big and can be bridged – at certain circuits.

Red Bull have won the last four grand prixs and seven this season, with what began as a competitive season now becoming dominated by the Milton Keynes outfit.

While the Bulls look almost unbeatable at times, Michael believes that it is only at some circuits where their advantage is too great to be overhauled.

“The performance can swing from one track to another by a couple of tenths,” he explained.

“There are two or three tenths in terms of qualifying and, if you have that performance from [starting on] the front row, then you have a better chance.

“So if no one upgraded cars, there would still be a reasonable chance you can have a go at [Red Bull].

“But in terms of the overall championship it is quite different, because they need to have DNFs for people to take the title, and the chances of that happening are pretty slim.

“There is a swing from one circuit to another, and it is not to do with the developments you put on the car,” he added.

“In days gone by, when you had a one second advantage over other cars, you could be confident you would not get those trends.

“But now there are no favourite tracks, so you don’t know if you are going to be competitive until you get there.”