F1: Horner pleased with Red Bull progression

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is confident the four-time constructors' champions are finally moving in the right direction after a frustrating 2015.

After dominating Formula One from 2010 to 2013, Red Bull have slowly slipped away from top spot as Mercedes have come to the fore.

A second-place finish in 2014 – when they were 296 points behind Mercedes – was followed up with a disappointing fourth last year, with drivers Daniil Kvyat and Daniel Ricciardo only claiming three podiums between them.

However, there have been promising signs in the opening two rounds of 2016 with Ricciardo finishing fourth on both occasions – and recording the fastest lap in Melbourne – while Kvyat also picked up points in Bahrain.

"I think we are in a better position than 12 months ago," Horner told the official F1 website.

"Progress is being made with the power unit and regulation changes are happening for 2017 already on the chassis side.

"And there is a lot of discussion going on about the power unit situation for the future. So there is a much different outlook than one year ago."

And Horner hopes the proposed regulation changes for 2017 could help them – and engine supplier Renault – take further steps forward.

He added: "As we already know with a fair degree of certainty what the regulations are for next year, I should think all the teams are now balancing their resource between 2016 and 2017.

"[Next year] the cars will have more downforce, more mechanical grip. They will look more aggressive and be more of a challenge for the drivers.

"It is not carried as far as we would have liked – it's a compromise solution – so let's see. It is better than standing still."