Max Verstappen explained after the opening two practice sessions for the Australian Grand Prix that he was “not positively or negatively surprised” about Red Bull’s level of performance, following a quiet start to the weekend from the team.
Verstappen, who headed into the season-opening weekend declaring that the squad were “not the quickest at the moment”, ended Friday’s running at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in seventh position – more than six-tenths off the pace set by Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc.
FP2: Leclerc sets the pace ahead of Piastri and Norris during second practice in Australia
Asked to reflect on his time at the wheel of the RB21, which included some flirting with the gravel, Verstappen said: “To be honest, the balance wasn’t even completely out. No massive or major problems.
“But somehow, the grip was not coming alive. I was just struggling on all four tyres, really, in Sector 1 and the last sector. That means, of course, that were are not really up there at the moment.”
