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 One defending champion took third place in qualifying for the season-opening race.

World champion Max Verstappen admitted he was "surprised" after qualifying third fastest for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix Saturday, but said he was feeling increasingly confident.The Red Bull driver struggled with grip on Friday,

Max Verstappen has won two of the last four Formula One races after failing to win any of the previous 10, but he did not believe he could have beaten the McLarens even with a perfect lap in qualifyin

Max Verstappen said while there were "no major problems", he acknowledged that Red Bull's pace is "not really up there at the moment."

Helmut Marko's bet did not pay off in Melbourne. Lando Norris managed to win the Australian GP, while the top advisor bet on Max Verstappen after the Saturday. Afterwar,ds he explained what he noticed in Australia to Sky Sports Austria.

Red Bull have decided to replace two parts on Max Verstappen's car entering Sunday's Australian GP. The Dutchman does not have to worry about a grid penalty however. On the other hand, Oliver Bearman will start from the pit lane after Haas' changes.

Max Verstappen will start the Australian Grand Prix in fifth and it's claimed the Red Bull driver has made a demand of the team's social media department.

Max Verstappen’s third-place start at the Australian Grand Prix “will be ideal” in the event of rain at Albert Park on Sunday. That is the claim of Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko, who has revealed that Red Bull have struggled with tyre overheating in the final sector throughout the weekend in Melbourne.