Verstappen completed every race for two years: 'Let's not think about it'

After two races under artificial light and run on Saturday, things are back to normal in Melbourne: the Australian Grand Prix will 'just' start Sunday at 15:00 local time, as is usually the case with European Grands Prix. Although Max Verstappen would not have minded if the race Down Under had also been an evening race.

"I don't mind waking up quite late in the day," the Red Bull Racing driver said in the Melbourne paddock on Thursday. "I am more of a night person I would say. But of course the day race is also fine."

Last season, the race was also started at 15:00 local time, but at that time, there was not an interference with the winter time zone change in Australia. That race was stopped several times because of red flags, which in turn caused problems for the drivers. "I think what is definitely a bit better here is that it's a bit earlier because the sun was quite low in the previous year also. Like qualifying for example. So hopefully that will help our visibility a little bit," Verstappen said.

In Australia, Verstappen is going for his tenth consecutive win. In doing so, he would match his own record. The last time the Dutchman failed to cross the finishing line of a Grand Prix was at the 2022 Melbourne race. "It hasn't always been like that of course in the past. I also don't want to really think about it too much or jinx it. But I think the last two years, two and a half years has been pretty incredible. I think from the team side with the reliability. Of course we want to keep that going. That's of course what we are always working on."