A brake duct failure on the 2024 Australian Grand Prix knocked Max Verstappen out of the race within the early levels. That opened the door for Carlos Sainz Jr., making a dramatic return to the grid after present process an emergency appendectomy through the earlier race weekend, to safe the win.
Talking forward of the 2025 installment of the Australian Grand Prix, which kicks off the F1 season, Verstappen downplayed his probabilities of profitable in Melbourne.
Verstappen joined Viaplay for a video interview because the Dutch outlet launched their protection of the 2025 season, talking from Monza the place his GT crew was testing forward of the 2025 season. Requested about how he feels after F1 pre-season testing, the four-time Drivers’ Champion conceded that Crimson Bull has some work to do.
“There’s work to do. Trying on the lap occasions, I believe McLaren would be the favourite,” started Verstappen. “Issues didn’t run fully easily on our finish, however we’ve some concepts on learn how to enhance. I additionally spent loads of time within the simulator, even yesterday with the crew. I don’t suppose we’ll be within the combat for the win in Melbourne, however hopefully, we will implement some enhancements over the subsequent few races.”
Verstappen admitted that the crew “anticipated a bit extra” from pre-season testing.
“It’s by no means ok, in fact, however possibly we anticipated a bit extra from Bahrain. After testing, you’ve gotten time to analyse the info and draw conclusions,” added Verstappen. “I believe issues will be optimised additional in Melbourne, however as I mentioned, there are nonetheless issues we have to enhance.”
Final 12 months’s challenger, the RB20, struggled over kerbs and bumps. Verstappen conceded that continues to be a difficulty with the RB21 within the early going.
“When it comes to stability, the automobile feels extra ‘collectively’ from turn-in to mid-corner,” added Verstappen. “However we’re nonetheless combating kerbs and bumps, which isn’t our strongest level. I hold emphasising that.”
Nonetheless, regardless of these struggles Verstappen did sufficient to clinch his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship final season, in a 12 months that was testomony to his outstanding consistency as a driver. Even with these points with the RB20 Verstappen completed within the factors in each race however one, the Australian Grand Prix. He additionally led the way in which with 9 Grand Prix victories, sufficient to clinch the season title by the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Whereas he would possibly wrestle once more in Australia to start out the 12 months, it’s laborious to depend Verstappen out on condition that document of consistency.
