On the popular Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, very popular with drivers and expected to attract more than 400,000 spectators in four days, the reigning world champion team, which achieved two doubles in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, could still sicken the competition.

Red Bull seems to have a car much faster and more competitive than its opponents, who may once again fight to pick up the crumbs left by the team based in Milton Keynes (United Kingdom).

Before a long break of four weeks, due to the cancellation of the Chinese GP, the opportunity is great for Red Bull to knock out its pursuers, who hope to take advantage of this unplanned break to improve their car and reduce the gap with the Austrian single-seaters.

Verstappen not yet 100%

Two-time world champion Max Verstappen enters this Australian stage in much better conditions than the previous one in Jeddah, where he suffered from stomach pain before and during the weekend, although he managed to clinch a superb second place after starting in 15th position following a transmission problem during qualifying.

Formula 1: Australian © Grand Prix / AFP

However, he suggested that he was not fully recovered and intended to take advantage of the long break to regain all his strength. Before that, he will try to break the curse that pursues him in Melbourne, where he has never won and has only won one podium, in 2019 (2nd). Last year, the Dutchman had to retire after the engine of his car caught fire.

"Even if he hasn't been too successful for us lately, I'm looking forward to returning to this great circuit where I love to drive," Verstappen said. I hope we have a good race this weekend. We have to go to the essentials and stay consistent. The team hasn't won here since 2011 so we'll see what we can do."

Red Bull's main competitors do not approach this Grand Prix in the same way. The Aston Martin team, surprising runner-up to the untouchable leader, will try to confirm the very good impressions left in the Middle East where it won two podiums thanks to Fernando Alonso.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen (right) with Aston Martin rival Fernando Alonso during a press briefing ahead of the Australian GP in Melbourne, March 30, 2023 © WILLIAM WEST / AFP

"We approach this Grand Prix with confidence and we hope to continue our momentum. The car reacted well on two very different circuits but we keep our feet on the ground," said the Spanish veteran.

Mercedes and Ferrari at the relaunch

The interesting weekend in Jeddah has put a smile back on Mercedes' faces, as they will try to continue their progress.

"The progress seen in Saudi Arabia is encouraging, we scored good points and above all we continued to learn and understand our car. The gap with the best is still significant and we aim to reduce it," said Toto Wolff, the boss of the German team.

Ferrari will try to get its head out of the water after a calamitous start to the season. If the performance in Jeddah was better than in Bahrain, the road still seems long to find the Italian team at the top.

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc in front of reporters at Melbourne's Albert Park circuit, March 30, 2023 © WILLIAM WEST / AFP

"We know what we have to work on. It will be a question of doing what we can to get closer to them (Red Bull), we are determined and motivated to find our best level," said Charles Leclerc on Thursday.

The Scuderia probably remembers that last year at this time, when Red Bull was in great difficulty, it was flying over the constructors' and drivers' world championship at the end of the Australian GP... before reliability problems caught up with it and it collapsed. She is probably dreaming of the same scenario this year for her best enemy!

© 2023 AFP