F1 fans have Max Verstappen doubts vs Charles Leclerc despite Red Bull's Saudi Arabia win

Formula One fans are doubtful of Max Verstappen's ability to overcome Charles Leclerc in the race to win the Drivers' Championship in 2022 despite the Red Bull driver's success in Saudi Arabia. Verstappen won his first Grand Prix of the season two weeks ago, coming out on top in a thrilling battle with Ferrari's Leclerc.

Ferrari have emerged as a relatively surprising contender for wins in 2022, capitalising on issues at Red Bull and Mercedes. Leclerc won the season opener at the Bahrain Grand Prix and then went toe-to-toe with Verstappen in Saudi Arabia.

With Mercedes pair Lewis Hamilton and George Russell struggling for performance, another tight contest between Verstappen and Leclerc could be the main story at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend. However, Express Sport readers are unsure about the 2021 world champion's ability to come out on top.

In an exclusive Express Sport poll, 57 per cent of 10,210 voters do not think Verstappen will beat Leclerc to the world championship. The 24-year-old got the better of Hamilton to win in 2021 but his rivalry with Leclerc has a slightly different dynamic.

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Verstappen does, though, have the backing of 43 per-cent of readers, who think he will claim successive world champions. That is presuming Hamilton will not force his way back into the debate.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has praised the racing between the pair, who have known each other from a young age. "I think you're seeing two fantastic young drivers that have raced each other probably from when they were about 10 or 11 going head-to-head in two very competitive Formula 1 cars," Horner told Sky Sports last week.

"The racing