With the Milton Keynes-based garage struggling to cope with several rule changes in the off-season, Red Bull have failed to gain any momentum in testing - with neither four-time reigning champion Sebastian Vettel nor newcomer Daniel Ricciardo able to string more than 20 laps together without pitting.
Nor have Red Bull been able to string together any momentum off the track, with team principal Christian Horner conceding Mercedes should comfortably win the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday, while owner Dietrich Mateschitz said Vettel is well-equipped to defy the doubters.
Despite winning the last nine races of the 2013 season to storm to the drivers' title, pundits are writing off the talented German in Melbourne - a place he has stood top of the podium only once in six starts.
Mateschitz is keeping the faith, though, even if Horner is not.
"Sebastian has had an absolute winning car in four-and-a-half of his five years at Red Bull," Mateschitz told German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur.
"I don't think that he has a problem to cope with the current situation. He, like the whole team, will accept the challenge."
Horner, though, said the race is Mercedes' to lose.
"You could well see more of it (domination). Perhaps not from us but from Mercedes," Horner said.
"Looking at Mercedes' race simulation, it wouldn't be a surprise if they finished two laps ahead of everyone in Melbourne. They have a massive advantage.
"What we know about (Mercedes driver) Lewis (Hamilton) is that he is extremely talented and naturally fast. And he's in a good team, so he's probably got to be the favourite going into the season."
Red Bull at odds over Melbourne chances
