Verstappen backs Australian GP changes to deliver overtaking boost

Max Verstappen is confident the extensive changes made to the Albert Park layout will make a "big difference" to overtaking.

The Australian Grand Prix has more often than not hosted the F1 season-opening race since moving from Adelaide to Melbourne in 1996.

However, once the excitement of seeing the cars in race trim for the first time had worn off, it was often reflected that the racing itself had left much to be desired.

With this in mind, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation has completed work on almost every corner of the layout in the two years without racing due to the pandemic, widening the surface in many areas and adding camber.

The most extreme example of change is the old turn nine-10 chicane, which has been removed altogether to allow for a fourth DRS zone to be placed on the 'straight'.

"I am really looking forward to racing in Australia again, it’s been a while," said Verstappen.

"The atmosphere is always so good there too.

"It will be interesting to see the track updates, I think they will make quite a big difference, especially in turn six where the most significant change has happened.

"There should be more overtaking opportunities now too which is always positive."

Verstappen cautious of Australian "dust"

Although F1 arrives in Melbourne after back-to-back races in the desert, similar concerns remain for Verstappen with dust common on the Albert Park street circuit.

The Dutchman added: "It’s going to be interesting to see how the car performs in Australia, the track can sometimes be quite dusty.

"I hope we can have another smooth weekend as a Team so let’s see what happens on Sunday."

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