Verstappen Blames Grip for Early Australia Struggles
Melbourne (AFP) – March 14, 2025
Max Verstappen admitted he struggled with tyre grip during the second practice session for the Australian Grand Prix on Friday, finishing in a disappointing seventh place. However, the four-time world champion remained optimistic about Red Bull’s overall pace despite the early setback at Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit.
The Dutchman, who has dominated the Formula 1 grid in recent years, was more than half a second behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who set the fastest time in the session. Verstappen also completed 10 fewer laps than Leclerc, indicating that Red Bull may still be fine-tuning its setup ahead of Saturday’s qualifying session.
Speaking after practice, Verstappen acknowledged that his car lacked the necessary grip, making it difficult to extract the best performance from his tyres. “It was a bit tricky today,” he said. “We were struggling with the grip, especially in the second session. There’s still work to do, but I think the potential is there.”
Despite the struggles, Verstappen remained confident that Red Bull could find the right balance before qualifying. “It’s only Friday, and we know how quickly things can change in Formula 1. We’ll analyze the data and make the necessary adjustments,” he added.
Red Bull has been the dominant force in Formula 1 over the past few seasons, with Verstappen winning multiple championships. However, Ferrari and Mercedes have shown signs of improvement this year, with Leclerc and Mercedes’ George Russell both posting competitive lap times in practice.
Leclerc’s pace in second practice was particularly impressive, with the Monegasque driver looking comfortable on both short and long runs. He will be aiming to challenge Red Bull’s supremacy and secure pole position for Sunday’s race.
As the teams prepare for final practice and qualifying, all eyes will be on whether Red Bull can unlock the pace needed to keep Verstappen at the front. With unpredictable weather often playing a role in Melbourne, the battle for pole position is expected to be intense.
The Australian Grand Prix marks the third race of the season, and while Verstappen remains the favorite for the championship, Ferrari and Mercedes are eager to close the gap. The stage is set for a thrilling weekend of racin
g at Albert Park.
