Reigning champion Max Verstappen has downplayed his team’s chances of challenging for victory at the Australian Grand Prix. Despite winning a fourth straight title in 2024, Red Bull finished third in the constructors’ championship and struggled with performance issues. Verstappen believes Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit and early season races don’t provide an accurate representation of the competitive order.
Verstappen points to Lando Norris’s McLaren team as his closest rival from last year, who is now favored to win the title in 2025. The Dutch driver acknowledges that McLaren has a strong advantage with their performance. Meanwhile, Red Bull is still working on improving their car and addressing areas of concern. Verstappen notes that only one team, currently McLaren, seems to have the upper hand, but he remains optimistic about his team’s prospects for the rest of the season.
Source: https://www.espn.com/racing/f1/story/_/id/44170233/max-verstappen-red-bull-cant-win-f1-australian-grand-prix-2025