Reigning champion Max Verstappen has said he does not believe Red Bull has a car capable of challenging for victory at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

For me, Max starts the season as the favourite because he will be clear number one in that team and Red Bull should have fixed it.”

Lawson has taken a huge leap into the unknown, without having grit his teeth in the F1 mid-pack with Racing Bulls. A jump from a reserve driver at a lesser team to the number two role at F1's most successful team this decade could leave him feeling like a fish out of water.

Max Verstappen has suggested that the RB21 F1 car is not in a position to help secure a race win in the season opener in Australia.

While the initial performance may not be at the level Red Bull had hoped for, Verstappen remains optimistic about fine-tuning the car for Melbourne.

Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has been spotted alongside an unlikely new car in a social media post. The Dutch driver will be gearing up for the first race of the season which will take place in Melbourne next weekend.