In the aftermath of the thrilling season opener at the Australian Grand Prix, reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen took a moment to highlight the strengths that McLaren currently holds over their own Red Bull team. Even though Verstappen finished second, he was quick to acknowledge the areas where McLaren excels.
During a qualifying session that set the stage for an intense race, Verstappen quickly overtook Oscar Piastri at the start and immediately began to challenge Lando Norris. Yet, as the race unfolded, maintaining the momentum against McLaren proved difficult due to tire degradation. Verstappen found himself slipping behind when Piastri reclaimed second place.
When the rain started to fall late in the race, Verstappen momentarily took the lead by staying out. However, as conditions worsened, a pit stop became unavoidable, allowing Norris to regain the front position. Despite the setback, a second-place finish was a testament to a solid weekend where McLaren undeniably set the pace.
Reflecting on the race, Verstappen commented, “It was a solid result and, honestly, the race was both thrilling and challenging. The conditions were quite tricky and slick, but we managed to steer clear of any mishaps. That was the key, so I’m satisfied.”
When asked about McLaren’s performance, Verstappen didn’t shy away from praise: “Overtaking them was tough. Our tires were overheating and degrading faster. This issue was even more noticeable with intermediate tires since they’re softer than the slicks. McLaren managed their tire temperatures much better, giving them a clear edge. Improving our tire management would definitely level the playing field.”
Despite these challenges, Verstappen saw the bright side. “Scoring 18 more points here compared to last year is an improvement. Even with a later pit stop, second place was a strong finish. I’m content with our performance,” he noted. “We’ll push to fine-tune things before heading to China. This was just the first race and we gained a lot, so it’s a great start.”
While Verstappen was able to extract positives from the weekend, his teammate Liam Lawson faced tougher times. Starting from the pit lane due to setup adjustments after Saturday’s sessions, Lawson aimed to climb up the ranks but ended up spinning into the wall towards the race’s end, concluding his debut for Red Bull on a disappointing note.
Lawson’s reflections were stark: “The weekend was rough. Our initial pace was lacking, and gambles didn’t pay off. Starting from the pit was challenging and we just didn’t have the speed in the opening stint on intermediates.”
He continued, “Issues with our front tires need reviewing before the next race. On slicks, we showed some pace, but the rain came back. We took a risk staying on mediums, hoping for dry patches.”
Addressing the situation, Lawson added, “We thought sector one might stay drier, but it poured. Though I held back, the conditions were too much. The weekend was tough, but we’ve learned a lot. I’m eager to hit reset in China.”
Both Verstappen and Lawson head into the next race with plenty to consider, each aiming to refine their strategies for what promises to be another thrilling leg of the Formula 1 season.
