Verstappen not a fan of current F1 cars: 'Prefer the older ones'

Throughout the 2023 season, Max Verstappen did not record a single DNF. In the current season, Red Bull Racing's Dutchman failed to finish once in the first three races. Without the brake problems, Verstappen would have had a very good chance of winning in Australia, something which was then largely thanks to Adrian Newey. The master designer has also developed a fast car for this season.

Newey is most in the spotlight, but Verstappen believes the entire team deserves credit for the RB20. "Well, I mean, we have a lot of people working on the car, right? So it's a whole team effort that has to come together. And everyone's ideas, they get taken into account and you build the car that we have today."

But, Verstappen continued, "Yes, for sure, having someone part of the team like Adrian, I think it's a massive boost for everyone. And, yes, many people work together to achieve the car we have today. So I do like to drive them. To be honest, I do prefer the older cars to drive because they're a bit lighter, a bit more agile. But, yes, I'll drive whatever the rules are, right?"

Verstappen won't comment on Alonso-Russell incident

Verstappen was also asked in Japan's press conference about the incident between Fernando Alonso and George Russell in Melbourne. The Spaniard was penalised after Russell - at least according to the stewards - had played a significant part in the clash. Verstappen, however, unlike Russell and Carlos Sainz, kept it quiet about the incident: "We will talk about that in the drivers' briefing."