After struggling with setup issues through Australian Grand Prix practice, Max Verstappen was surprised by his Red Bull car's performance on Saturday as the Formula One defending champion took third place in qualifying for the season-opening race.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner has given his backing to two of the team's young stars. Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar both failed to finish the opening Formula 1 round in Melbourne at the weekend. Rain before and during made the race chaotic with six drivers spinning off the track and failing to finish.

It was a mixed bag of a curtain raiser for Red Bull Racing as Max Verstappen just missed out on victory in the Australian Grand Prix, while debutant Liam Lawson crashed out. Reigning world champion Verstappen was trapped between McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for much of the opening stint in wet conditions in Melbourne,