Formula 1 Australian GP
Red Bull on back foot at F1 Australian GP – as Max Verstappen expected
Verstappen says Red Bull has “quite a bit of work to do” to challenge rival top teams in Melbourne, but he’s not surprised
Ben Vinel
Edited: Mar 6, 2026, 12:54 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Mark Thompson / Getty Images
Max Verstappen says Red Bull’s lowly position in Formula 1’s Australian Grand Prix pecking order, following Friday practice, is no surprise to him.
Verstappen was sixth-fastest in Free Practice 2, 0.637s slower than pacesetter Oscar Piastri and 0.423s behind Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, while his deficit to Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton was 0.316s.
Read Also:
This is in line with the pre-season time sheet, as Red Bull also had the fourth-quickest car over the six days of running in Bahrain, so Verstappen is not overly surprised by his current performance.
“We had quite a decent pre-season,” the four-time world champion said on Friday. “It's been, I think, a big learning curve but we've been running well, we've been doing a lot of laps, so there's actually not really a lot that we could have wished for that could have gone better.
“But in terms of performance, I don't know, I think we still have quite a bit of work to do to be up front, but this is also something that I had already planned, for it to be like that.”
Verstappen’s lack of pace was compounded by an issue with his electronic control box, which meant he didn’t venture out on track in the first 25 minutes of FP2. He went on to have a high-speed excursion in the gravel trap at the exit of Turn 10, with debris flying out of his car.
Asked whether he could challenge Mercedes and how much would be revealed on a power-sensitive track like Albert Park, as energy management has become crucial in F1’s new era, Verstappen replied: “We'll see what happens, right? I'm not really too fussed about it.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Mark Thompson / Getty Images
“I mean, I just try to do my best, and like I said before, we're positive, we're happy with what we have done so far – but we also know that if we really want to fight up front, we need to be faster, so that's what we'll work on.”
Having been quite critical of F1’s 2026 machinery, Verstappen was unfazed on Friday, adding: “If I have to race a shopping trolley, I drive it to the limit of what a shopping trolley can do.”
Meanwhile, the Dutchman’s new team-mate, Isack Hadjar, ended up nearly six tenths adrift of the lead RB22.
“Reliability has been good, but in terms of consistency, every lap in FP2 has been quite difficult, in terms of deployment and everything. But we'll look into it. It cannot go smooth on day one, so it's normal,” Hadjar said in reassuring fashion.
Still, the French sophomore’s lack of experience might be hindering him.
“This year it feels like not enough practice going into qualifying. There's still so much unknown. I wish I had more laps to understand what's going on with the PU,” he admitted.
Photos from Australian GP - Friday
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Australian GP - Friday, in photos
Formula 1
68
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article George Russell gets warning, reprimand for driving violations at F1 Australian GP
Next article Why Charles Leclerc is refusing to board the Ferrari hype train
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Ben Vinel
Penalty drops Oscar Piastri out of F1 Mexico GP points
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Penalty drops Oscar Piastri out of F1 Mexico GP points
Fred Vasseur reacts to Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc clash: “It’s a matter of respect”
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Fred Vasseur reacts to Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc clash: “It’s a matter of respect”
More from
Max Verstappen
Red Bull drivers fear Mexico start, Max Verstappen jokes: “A Le Mans start would be just as quick”
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Red Bull drivers fear Mexico start, Max Verstappen jokes: “A Le Mans start would be just as quick”
More from
Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen clears the air with Liam Lawson, but stays tight-lipped on Racing Bulls F1 seat
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Max Verstappen clears the air with Liam Lawson, but stays tight-lipped on Racing Bulls F1 seat
When Red Bull expects to start using its long-awaited new F1 wind tunnel
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
When Red Bull expects to start using its long-awaited new F1 wind tunnel
Latest news
Why NASCAR's indecision led to Dodge's decision to return to Cup
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
1 h
Why NASCAR's indecision led to Dodge's decision to return to Cup
Dodge announces return to NASCAR Cup Series in 2027
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 5 h
Dodge announces return to NASCAR Cup Series in 2027
Justin Allgaier confirms he will return for 2027 NASCAR O'Reilly season
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Martinsville II
5 h
Justin Allgaier confirms he will return for 2027 NASCAR O'Reilly season
NASCAR Cup Homestead finale to feature full field of 40 cars
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
8 h
NASCAR Cup Homestead finale to feature full field of 40 cars
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe