Verstappen surprised by Mercedes: 'Maybe they also are'

If there is one thing that matters in Australia it is tyre management. The man on pole position, Max Verstappen, cannot say it often enough. The Red Bull Racing driver looks up in surprise at George Russell and Lewis Hamilton next to him on P2 and P3, but knows why they are there.

Indeed, according to Verstappen, the Mercedes drivers paid close attention to their tyres. In the FIA press conference after qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix, Verstappen began about Sunday's race: "I did a long run in in FP3. So I had a bit of a read on the tyres. And yeah, I don't think it's a straightforward race with the tyres. But I think what we've shown so far this year, I think the car normally is good in the race."

Verstappen gives tyre management as motto

His biggest rival, teammate Sergio Perez, starts from the back of the grid at P20. As a result, Verstappen has only the Mercedes drivers to fear at the start. Verstappen looks up from the fact that both Mercedes men are behind him on the grid and sitting next to him at the press conference.

Verstappen: "I'm a little bit surprised, maybe they are also a little bit surprised! But I guess it's a good thing. But again, it's all about just having the tyres in the right window, and I guess they did a good job with that as well."