Christian Horner says no-one at Red Bull is getting "carried away" after Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez gave them a one-two in the opening race of the Formula 1 season.
Mercedes driver George Russell believes Red Bull will win every race of the 2023 season and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc said Horner's team is "on a different planet". But the Red Bull team principal was trying not to get too bullish – at least not publicly – after Verstappen's dominant win.
He said: "Twenty-three races is a marathon. It's about being consistent over the campaign. Today was a great start but we fully expect our rivals to come back hard in future races. None of us are getting carried away with one result. The surface of this track is quite unique.
"It was a well-executed Grand Prix and after last year when we came away with zero points, to have 43 this year feels like a good response. But we've only got one dataset so we're not taking anything for granted. Let's see Jeddah and then Melbourne. Once we've seen two or three races we'll have a better idea.
"I've been around long enough to see things change so quickly. These cars are still relatively immature. As upgrades come, things will change."
With Leclerc retiring due to suffering an engine failure and Mercedes still off the pace, 41-year-old Fernando Alonso, in his Aston Martin, claimed third place on the Bahrain podium.
Aston Martin technical director Dan Fallows switched from Red Bull last year and Horner could not resist having another dig over copycat design. He said: "It was enjoyable to see Fernando up there. It gives the 40-somethings hope that there's life in the old boy yet. He raced very well, he's still so competitive. And the Aston looks a good car.
"Based on one race, you'd have to say they were the second strongest here. They've obviously done a good job over the winter. They say imitation is the biggest form of flattery and, you know, it's good to see the old car doing so well."
That cheeky jibe will not bother Alonso one bit, and the Spaniard said after the race: "It's amazing for the team. It was a great weekend and finishing on the podium in the first race of the year is just amazing."
