Red Bull faster than Brawn GP in China
Although Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber qualified first and third respectively in China, it is true that their RB5s were carrying less fuel than the previously dominant Brawns.
"We have an excellent car," team boss Christian Horner told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.
"With fuel the Brawn is faster, but you see the true speed in Q2 when everyone is empty," he added.
In Q2 on Saturday, both Vettel and Webber were still faster than Brawn racers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello.
More worryingly for Brawn, Red Bull designer Adrian Newey is yet to complete his design for a 'double diffuser', which can only be fitted to the car around the time of the Monaco grand prix late next month.
"With our car (to have a double diffuser) we have to modify the transmission and the rear suspension," Horner revealed. "It is potentially a very big step forward."
Former Red Bull racer, and current team reserve driver, said in Shanghai he is not surprised that the Milton Keynes-based team is now among the very best on the grid.
"It all seems highly logical to me because there has been a steady, but marked, upward trend at the team and now we are seeing it come to fruition," he said in his BBC column.
"Not only do I expect the team to capture their maiden victory this season, I expect them to win more than one race," the Scot added.