---
title: "Did Max Verstappen Show His True Colors at the Australian Grand Prix?"
description: "Laser-focused, cold-blooded, and ultra-precise Verstappen was no more in Australia. But why?"
date: "2018-03-28"
modified: "2018-03-28"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19670/did-max-verstappen-show-his-true-colors-at-the-australian-grand-prix"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Australian Grand Prix"
  - "Formula 1"
  - "max verstappen"
  - "News"
  - "racing"
  - "Red Bull Racing"
---

# Did Max Verstappen Show His True Colors at the Australian Grand Prix?

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/03/ap-1v5ek7eks2111_news.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

It's safe to say that Max Verstappen is Formula 1's current prodigal child, one that will give the racing series and its owners, [Liberty Media](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18854/f1-tv-formula-1-streaming-service-announced>), many smiles and sponsor contracts for years to come. And given the youngster's 20 years of age, it's extremely likely that he could eclipse the likes of Vettel, Hamilton, and maybe even Schumacher.

Unfortunately (or fortunately for his competitors), Verstappen didn't handle himself like a future world champion during last weekend's season-opening race. The son of the popular racing driver, Jos Verstappen, couldn't come to terms with his Red Bull Racing machine during the [Grand Prix weekend](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19672/red-bull-racing-wants-f1-to-crack-down-on-mercedes-party-mode-engine-setting>), something that was palpable and maybe even embarrassing during Sunday's race.

![message-editor%2F1522196316354-ap-1v5f8preh1w11\_news.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1522196316354-ap-1v5f8preh1w11_news.jpg>)
*Red Bull*

![message-editor%2F1522196326738-ap-1v5f5xv3n1w11\_news.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1522196326738-ap-1v5f5xv3n1w11_news.jpg>)
*Red Bull*

Verstappen managed to secure the disappointing fourth place on the grid during [qualifying](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19598/lewis-hamilton-secures-pole-for-the-2018-australian-grand-prix>). By all means, fourth would be a great result for 98 percent of the Formula 1 grid, but not for victory-hungry Max. With a gap of only four-hundredths of a second to third-place Kimi Raikkonen, a quick jump to second place during the start of the race would've been prophetic. Instead, he lost out to Kevin Magnussen's HAAS.

What went wrong? In a nutshell, Verstappen overdrove his car to the point that he cannibalized his own results. The calm, cool and collected Dutchman (technically Belgian) from last season seems to have morphed into an [overzealous young driver](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19615/damon-hill-slams-ferrari-and-mercedes-amg-over-formula-1-dominance>) with an "all-or-nothing" attitude. This became even more evident on lap 11 when he spun coming out of the Albert Park Circuit's Turn 1.

https://twitter.com/_/status/977911459979190272

The spin was caused by Verstappen's lack of precision and pushing the Red Bull and its Pirelli tires far beyond its limits. The [little reality check](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19616/aussie-gp-formula-1-drivers-post-race-reactions-on-social-media>), which judging by the world feed shown on TV, didn't please his father one bit. In addition, it sent him down to the eighth spot where he'd struggle to pass cars until the very last lap.

In the end, Verstappen was able to claw back two spots and finish in sixth, which was disappointing considering he could've nabbed the third spot on the podium. Perhaps a more level-headed youngster will turn up in Bahrain.

What do *you* think? Let us know the in the comments section.

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)