Max Verstappen reveals major Red Bull concern

Max Verstappen has revealed a major Red Bull concern at this weekend's Australian Grand Prix, following a difficult opening day of the season. 

Red Bull encountered grip issues at the Albert Park circuit across first and second practice, leaving the reigning world champion in seventh at the end of Friday. 

Verstappen was comfortably the lead Red Bull on the timesheets, as new team-mate Liam Lawson had to settle for 17th. 

Regardless, Verstappen was almost six tenths slower than Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who set the pace in second practice. 

It is the lack of grip which the Dutchman blames for the difficult day with the RB21, rather than balance issues. 

As a result, Verstappen expects that solving the current problem impacting Red Bull in Melbourne will be extremely difficult. 

He accepts the Milton Keynes-based team has work to do and recognises that the current performance of the car is not enough to compete at the front this weekend.

"The balance wasn’t completely wrong, but somehow we didn’t get any grip and it was difficult," said Verstappen. "That’s why we’re not really at the top right now. 

"It’s not really a big balance problem, so it’s going to be difficult to solve. But it’s not like I didn’t expect this today. I’m not surprised by our speed, either positively or negatively. 

"We haven’t really performed well here since the new asphalt was laid. That doesn’t help us, but that’s the same for everyone of course. 

"So we’ll have to find a bit more speed, because now we’re not close enough to be at the front."