Red Bull’s reigning world champion Max Verstappen has set a track record in practice to confirm his favouritism for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix. Verstappen posted a sizzling fastest lap of one minute 17.565 seconds in Saturday’s third and final practice session at the Albert Park circuit. Australia’s Oscar Piastri (1:18.713) was 14th quickest in the last practice before the qualifying session starts at 4pm AEDT. Verstappen won the season-opening grand prix in Bahrain ahead of teammate Sergio Perez and finished second behind Perez in the next race in Saudi Arabia. ‘It’s a fantastic starting point to the season … but we’re conscious that it’s a very long season, there’s still 21 races to go,’ Horner said. On Saturday, the 21-year-old completed 21 laps in a wet second session.

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