Red Bull Formula 1 chief Christian Horner says the team’s st✨reak of fourth-place finishes is “getting a little bit boring” as it hopes to return to podium contention next weekend in Spain.

After finishing third at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen took fourth place for Red Bull at the last three races in B🌠ahrain, China and Azerbaijan, finishing behind two Mercedes drivers and one Ferrari on each occasion.

While Verstappen has failed to get in the fight for victory yet this year, Horne꧑r said he feels the gap to the 🍌front of the field has shrunk.

“I think we 🐟closed the gap since the beginning of the year,” Horner said.

“In Melbourne we had a str꧙ong race. I think Max was pushing Lewis [Hamilton] for the majority of that Grand Prix. Bahrain was a tough race for us but I think actually exposed some things that we’ve managed to improve since then.

“Then C🐲hina has been a stronger race, and then again [in Baku], even more so, at a track that, you know doesꦑn’t historically play to our strengths.

“So I think we’re looking forward to heading back to Europღe now. A few circuits coming up that hopefully should suit us.”

Verstappen still sits ahead of both Ferrari drivers in the drivers’ championship tha🎃nks to his consistent run of results, albeit 36 points adr💎ift of points leader Valtteri Bottas.

Asked if Verstappen could potentially mount a title challenge, Horner presse🐼d on the importance of getting back on the podium.

“We’re at race four, I think he’s 36 p൲oints behind. It’s a long, long way to go in the championship,” Horner said.

“We just๊ have to take it one race at a time. But three fourth positions in a row is getting a little bitꦐ boring now.

“We want to be fighting for the podium again.”