Max Verstappen ends a run of 10 consecutive podium finishes in Australia

The start of the 2026 season did not go well for Max VerstappenAfter making a mistake in qualifying, the four-time world champion was forced to start from the back of the grid at the Australian Grand Prix. However, staging a remarkable comeback, the Dutchman crossed the finish line in sixth position.

All his hard work unfortunately wasn't enough to get him onto the podium at Albert Park. This result therefore marks the end of a solid run of ten consecutive top-three finishes, which began last summer after the Hungarian Grand Prix: Netherlands, Singapore – second, Italy, Azerbaijan, United States, Las Vegas, Qatar, Abu Dhabi – victory, Mexico, Brazil – third.

This new regulatory era of Formula 1 It nevertheless opened on a scene with a familiar feel: the battle between the McLaren de Lando Norris and that of Max Verstappen. But for the first time in a long time, the prize wasn't the top step of the podium. The two champions battled fiercely for fifth place in Melbourne. A duel from which the Briton ultimately emerged victorious, resisting repeated attacks from his Dutch rival at the rear, to gain two more points than Laurent Mekies' driver.

With Lando Norris finishing fifth and Max Verstappen sixth, the Australian Grand Prix podium featured a top three without either of them on one of the three steps. This situation hadn't occurred since the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix, where the driver Red Bull had triumphed.

At the next round of F1, held in China from March 13 to 15, the Dutchman will nevertheless have the opportunity to console himself by extending another series: that of 14 finishes in the points, which runs from the Austrian Grand Prix in July 2025.

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