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.

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.

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.”

Red Bull hope the RB21 will help them recover the Formula 1 constructors' title and help fire Max Verstappen to a fifth consecutive drivers' championship success

Former world champion and departed Sky Sports pundit Damon Hill has said Red Bull are incapable of taking criticism and "cry about it" when pundits speak out against them.

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.

Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull Racing until 2028 and yet the likes of Aston Martin and Mercedes continue to sniff around the Dutchman

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.