Red Bull team playing catch-up

Max Verstappen’s world championship hopes depend on how fast Red Bull have caught up to their competitors as they produce their own power units for the first time, their engine boss admits.

- 

The Dutchman was forced to surrender his crown to Lando Norris in last season's finale in Abu Dhabi, having dominated the sport in winning four successive titles.

Those championships were powered by Honda but Red Bull are embarking on the huge challenge of producing their own power units in partnership with Ford.

Team principal Laurent Mekies admitted last year they have a “mountain to climb" but Red Bull Ford powertrains technical director Ben Hodgkinson believes the work has been done to enable them to compete at the front of the grid.