Dietrich Mateschitz believes that his team must fight for both world titles this season, to confirm its place amongst the sport’s front runners.
Red Bull Racing finished runners up in both the drivers and constructors championship last year, after just missing out to Jenson Button and Brawn GP.
However, the Milton Keynes-based team which finished the season strongest, and with this Mateschitz believes that the team must build on this momentum in 2010.
“We have realistic expectations that of course progressed each year,” said Mateschitz. “Last year we wanted to finish among the top three teams, which we achieved.
“This year we have to fight for the championship because we belong to the three fastest teams. The rest is not dependent on us but on FIA decisions, driver errors, reliability, safety car periods and so on.”
Mateschitz believes that last year’s diffuser row cost his team and Sebastian Vettel a proper shot at the title.
“At the start of last season, we were the only team without a double diffuser that could match Brawn’s pace,” he said. “If you consider we had to rebuild the car, Vettel had to accept the penalty after Melbourne, he could have been champion already last year.
“Now we have to continue where we finished last year. There is no guarantee for the championship, but it is a target.”
In addition, the Austrian also dismissed rumours that Mark Webber will be replaced by Kimi Raikkonen in 2011. Webber has only one year remaining on his current contract and with Raikkonen heavily sponsored by Red Bull in the WRC, some have already suggested that a deal could be done.
“This is nothing more than pure speculation,” he added. “We do not know what Kimi intends to do in one year. We have a very good relationship which makes room for speculations.
“But to tell you now Kimi will be racing for us in 2011 is not serious. If Webber provides top performances this year we will not reward him by giving his cockpit to Raikkonen.”
