Verstappen deals Red Bull huge blow

Max Verstappen has dealt Red Bull a huge blow after finishing second in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, by revealing a key area McLaren is significantly stronger. 

The reigning world champion started from third at Albert Park but quickly got past Oscar Piastri on the opening lap, before settling behind Lando Norris. 

However, a mistake by the Red Bull driver in the early laps allowed Piastri back past. Verstappen looked set to finish in third, before a sudden heavy rain shower caught out both McLarens. 

Norris and Piastri both went off the circuit, with the latter having spun on the grass at the penultimate corner. 

Verstappen capitalised and took the lead, before falling behind Norris after a final round of pit stops for fresh intermediate tyres.

He tried to pressurise Norris into a mistake in the final laps but was forced to settle for second behind the Briton.

"At least I tried, but it's very difficult to get really close here," Verstappen told Viaplay. 

"And I maybe had to wait for a mistake, as he obviously had one with two laps to go, I think. In itself, of course, it's still a very good result for us."

McLaren advantage

When the rain was falling during the race, Verstappen looked capable of matching the pace of Norris and Piastri. 

However, when the circuit started to dry, the Woking-based team's advantage was evident, especially in the first stint.

"In the first stint we obviously had no chance at all," conceded Verstappen. "They [McLaren] were really a lot faster. 

"Then I just tried to stay out of trouble and we did that well. We kept the car in one piece and brought it back without any damage with second place."

The 27-year-old was overtaken by Piastri following a rare mistake at Turn 11, which saw Verstappen run wide. 

Verstappen revealed it was caused by his tyres overheating, something every team struggled with except McLaren.

"My tyres just overheated faster," confirmed Verstappen. "You also see that with the other teams behind me, they have that same problem. 

"And McLaren doesn't have that, they can just watch the tyres a little bit better. 

"When that tyre naturally goes a little bit, especially on the intermediates with very soft rubber... That's where you then see that they are just suddenly a lot faster than everybody else."