Max Verstappen had been leading the world championship since the inception of the current ground effect era in 2022.

Formula One driver Max Verstappen was ranked both the highest-paid F1 driver in 2024, and one of the world's highest-paid athletes.

I don’t expect miracles, but I think it’s OK,” said Verstappen when asked about the RB21’s race pace after qualifying. “Not on the same level [as Norris and Piastri], but I’ll just do my best and see what happens tomorrow.

Verstappen’s teammate last year, Sergio Pérez, has been replaced by Liam Lawson this season, with the New Zealand driver set to make his full-time F1 debut in 2025. In the drizzly conditions in Bahrain, Lawson said he was fighting “a few teething gremlins” with his car as he sought to adjust to life alongside Verstappen.

The most famous example of this in 2024 came during Daniel Ricciardo 's final F1 race, when the Australian finished last but claimed the fastest lap on the final lap of the Singapore GP, taking the extra point away from Lando Norris and helping Max Verstappen's title bid.

But ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Verstappen reiterated that he is not the current favorite as the season begins. “Impossible to know at the moment,” said

After struggling with setup issues through Australian Grand Prix practice, Max Verstappen was surprised by his Red Bull car's performance on Saturday as the Formula 1 defending champion took third place in qualifying for the season-opening race.

Elevated into the lead when McLaren’s “panic” had both drivers pitting, Max Verstappen says Red Bull had to “gamble” as it was their best chance to win the Australian Grand Prix. Lining up on a sodden Albert Park grid in third place behind an all-McLaren front row,

Max Verstappen will start the Australian Grand Prix in fifth and it's claimed the Red Bull driver has made a demand of the team's social media department.

Anticipation for Sunday's race is building and this morning's qualifying brought with it several twists and turns. One particular moment which has split opinion among racing fans is the actions of Red Bull's Max Verstappen towards Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton.