Formula One driver Max Verstappen was ranked both the highest-paid F1 driver in 2024, and one of the world's highest-paid athletes.

But ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Verstappen reiterated that he is not the current favorite as the season begins. “Impossible to know at the moment,” said

After struggling with setup issues through Australian Grand Prix practice, Max Verstappen was surprised by his Red Bull car's performance on Saturday as the Formula 1 defending champion took third place in qualifying for the season-opening race.

Liam Lawson was knocked out of qualifying in his first session as a senior Red Bull driver, having been off the pace all weekend. The Kiwi driver only set the 16th and 17th fastest times in FP1 and FP2 before being kept off the track for most of FP3 with a power unit issue,