Speaking with Viaplay ahead of the 2025 F1 season, Max Verstappen admitted he does not think he’ll be ‘in the fight’ in Melbourne

Red Bull star Max Verstappen has ruled himself out of victory at the 2025 F1 season-opener in Australia next weekend. The Dutchman won his fourth consecutive world title last year but faces huge competition from the likes of Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc this time around.

Max Verstappen has suggested that the RB21 F1 car is not in a position to help secure a race win in the season opener in Australia.

Max Verstappen has voiced a huge concern over Red Bull’s performance for the 2025 Formula 1 season-opener at the Australian Grand Prix. The Milton Keynes outfit were faced with a drop to third place in the constructors’ championship in 2024, after McLaren and Ferrari emerged as their competitors at the front of the field.

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.

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.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolffhas claimed he did not approach Max Verstappen to drive for the team due to a promise he made to Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton left the Mercedes team at the end of last season for a move to Ferrari.