Based upon pre-season testing and the Melbourne weekend, McLaren appear to be the team to beat in 2025 after building upon winning the Constructors' Championship last season in what is expected to be a four-way duel throughout the year also including Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari.

But ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Verstappen reiterated that he is not the current favorite as the season begins. “Impossible to know at the moment,” said

Verstappen’s teammate last year, Sergio Pérez, has been replaced by Liam Lawson this season, with the New Zealand driver set to make his full-time F1 debut in 2025. In the drizzly conditions in Bahrain, Lawson said he was fighting “a few teething gremlins” with his car as he sought to adjust to life alongside Verstappen.

Max Verstappen has admitted that Red Bull's grip issues will be "hard to fix" at the Australian Grand Prix as the reigning four-time world champion prepares for a difficult opening weekend of the season.

Lewis Hamilton has completed his sensational switch from Mercedes to Ferrari ahead of the 2025 F1 season - and he is paid handsomely to suit up in red

Max Verstappen dealt Red Bull a significant blow after finishing second in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, revealing a key area where McLaren is significantly stronger.