Max Verstappen expecting Ferrari-Red Bull shoot-out for pole position at Australian Grand Prix

Defending Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen says he expects a straight fight between Ferrari and Red Bull for pole position at the Australian Grand Prix. It has been a mightily impressive start to the season for the Scuderia, who lead the constructors’ standings after the opening two races of 2022 in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Ad/> Charles Leclerc also leads a Ferrari one-two in the drivers’ championship, courtesy of victory in the opening race of the season and a second-placed finish in Jeddah two weeks ago.

Australian Grand PrixVettel under investigation after scooter incident2 HOURS AGO Although Verstappen reigned supreme at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the Dutchman has seen his early-season rivals reassert their dominance in the opening two practice sessions in Melbourne. Carlos Sainz was quickest in first practice, with Leclerc replicating the success of his team-mate hours later. However, Verstappen was able to split the two Ferrari’s in second practice, and he believes the Red Bull car is in a healthy position to challenge for pole position tomorrow.

“I think in FP1 and at the beginning of FP2, we were lacking a bit of balance,” the 24-year-old said. “For the final run, we changed the car around a bit and I felt a lot happier. I do think that [over] the weekend, [we can] maybe make it a little bit closer.

/> “They are quick again, but in the long run everything looked quite stable and quite nice, so I’m quite happy about that and we definitely made some improvements. “We are going in a good direction, so we need to try and build. Hopefully we can make some tiny adjustments for tomorrow.” Vettel under investigation after scooter incident 'No magic fix' — Wolff fires warning to Mercedes Asked whether he