Verstappen: I'm quite surprised but I felt confident, one with the car

After today's Qualifying session, Verstappen will line up next to Mercedes' George Russell and behind the McLarens of pole-sitter Lando Norris and home racer Oscar Piastri at Albert Park on Sunday.

The Dutchman said during the post-qualifying press conference: "This has never really been a good track for us, I think, so it took a bit of time to understand how we can improve the situation, and we did that today. I'm quite surprised to be sitting here after yesterday.

"I felt confident. I felt one with the car. Of course, clearly, it was lacking a bit of pace, but overall, I was happy with the laps in qualifying. Today it was a little bit faster, but clearly still not fast enough. But still, to be ahead of Ferrari and Mercedes I think is good for us," added Verstappen.

Rain forecast for Sunday could help Verstappen's bid to beat the McLarens and start the new season with a win. He said he would back himself in any conditions, although he did not expect Red Bull to find any extra long-run pace in time for race day.

Regarding reeling in McLaren's superiority, Verstappen said: "I don't expect any kind of miracles about it. I think (long-run pace) is OK, but I think it's not on the same level. I'll just do my best to see what happens tomorrow."

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner praised Verstappen for a "decent" qualifying while noting the car was losing pace to their rivals in the last sector at Albert Park: "Well, we are back, and it was a very encouraging performance from Max to have the provisional pole on the first run.

"But it always felt like McLaren had the better lap time. Fair play to them. I thought Max did a very good job, and I think the team did a very good job to improve the car throughout the weekend."

Verstappen is unlikely to worry about his new teammate Liam Lawson taking points off him, with the New Zealander knocked out in the first session of qualifying.

Lawson has had a largely dismal first race weekend at Albert Park, veering off the track several times in practice and needing repairs to the floor of his car. Horner said of the team's new driver: "It’s a shame for Liam. He missed the whole of FP3 due to a technical issue, he has never raced here before, it puts him immediately on the back foot, and it’s a lot to ask of him in qualifying.

"His first run went well, and then unfortunately mistakes were made. Second row of the grid, P3 for tomorrow’s race. Who knows what’s going to happen weather-wise? It’s all to play for," added Horner