Red Bull chief Christian Horner has conceded that the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari is too big to close but has challenged his team to try and outscore their rivals in the second half of the term.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit have never really looked like title challengers in 2017, with Ferrari and Mercedes involved in a two horse race.

Ferrari, who are priced at 5.25 to lift the Constructors’ Championship, made the brighter start to the season after enjoying the better runs during pre-season testing and carrying that momentum through, while Mercedes have improved over the first 11 events.

Mercedes currently lead the Constructors’ Championship with 357 points, 39 better off than second placed Ferrari, and 173 ahead of Red Bull in third.

Red Bull pair Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen have claimed just one victory between them all season with the Australian taking the chequered flag in Azerbaijan.

The Formula One season returns from the summer break for the second half in Belgium at the end of August and Horner admits they are unlikely to mount a charge towards the title.

However, he has challenged the team to come out aggressively and attempt to outscore their rivals in the final 11 races.

Horner said: “From a championship point of view I think the gap between us and Mercedes and Ferrari is too big to haul back but I would like to at least outscore Ferrari certainly in the second half of the year.

“I think if we can get into a situation to challenge for podiums and even the higher places on the podium at a couple of races between now and the end of the year then that is a realistic and I think aggressive target for us.”