Debate| A difficult opening day, but Verstappen will still be champion?

For weeks now, Max Verstappen has been tempering expectations. In different ways, the Red Bull Racing driver keeps saying that his car is not fast enough to compete, especially the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. During the opening day of the season, it became clear that Verstappen was not sandbagging. Nevertheless, GPblog asks: Despite a difficult day in Australia, will Verstappen still be champion?

Indeed, the gap of six tenths to leader Charles Leclerc was immense by F1 standards. Such a gap is not easily made up. But probably a rain race awaits the twenty drivers in Melbourne on Sunday and in wet conditions Verstappen usually feels at home. No one will be surprised if he wins the Grand Prix then.

Besides, the season is long, very long. Across the year Red Bull will undoubtedly work on updates and who knows, maybe a 2024 McLaren-like jump in performance may be achieved by Red Bull Racing. The Woking-based team managed to leap from the top of the midfeld to the front of the grid in a relatively short time, and now they are seen as the favourites to take both titles.

Also, from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards, a technical directive is set to be enforce regarding the maximum allowed deflection of front wings. This is likely to benefit certain teams, Red Bull perhaps? In other words, a lot can happen this season, and who knows, maybe Verstappen will end up emerging as the best?

Vote along and comment: although Max Verstappen had a difficult opening day in Australia, will he still be champion?