Australian GP: I feel more relaxed with every year, says Max Verstappen therianthropic

Alongside Ferrari, Red Bull is expected to mount a sustained challenge to Mercedes this year -- the German team dominated 2016, winning all but two of the 21 races.

Ferrari was fastest at winter testing in Barcelona but Red Bull wasn't far behind -- raising hopes that this season's RB13 can evolve into a championship-winning car in 2017.

Ahead of this weekend's Australian Grand Prix, Verstappen hinted on Thursday that evolution has already begun.



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'(The car) will look a little bit different -- a little bit,' Verstappen told F1.com.

'But not just in a single aspect -- everywhere. That's what you do if you want to drive the whole car concept forward. But it is still the best-looking car on the grid!'

Verstappen became the youngest driver to win an F1 race when he took the checkered flag in Spain last season, marking him out as a future world champion, while his phenomenal drive to secure third place at the Brazilian GP is regarded as one of the sport's great performances.

So is he feeling the pressure as he and teammate Daniel Ricciardo seek to end Mercedes' dominance?

'I feel more and more relaxed with every year and every race ...' the teenager replied.

READ: Rookie driver topped for F1 greatness

READ: Can Verstappen be as big as Cruyff?

READ: Verstappen's brilliant drive in torrential rain at Brazilian GP

READ: Bottas reveals hidden talent

READ: F1's debt to little man with enormous energy

Journey into the unknown

Sunday's race will be a journey into the unknown for all the drivers as they finally find out how their new-look cars perform on the track in the heat of battle.

Regulation changes ordered by motorsport's world governing body the FIA have made the cars wider, lower and faster -- lap times are expected to improve by 3-5 seconds.

For Verstappen, victory doesn't necessarily mean first place in Melbourne.

Visit cnn.com/motorsport for more news and videos

'For me to be super happy -- and not a single cloud in paradise -- that would of course be a victory,' he says.

'I just have to follow the car: if the car is able to finish third, I am happy with third; the same goes for fifth.'

Sunday's race will be a journey into the unknown for all the drivers as they finally find out how their new-look cars perform on the track in the heat of battle. READ: Rookie driver topped for F1 greatness So is he feeling the pressure as he and teammate Daniel Ricciardo seek to end Mercedes' dominance? For Verstappen, victory doesn't necessarily mean first place in Melbourne. READ: Can Verstappen be as big as Cruyff? 'But not just in a single aspect -- everywhere. That's what you do if you want to drive the whole car concept forward. But it is still the best-looking car on the grid!' Regulation changes ordered by motorsport's world governing body the FIA have made the cars wider, lower and faster -- lap times are expected to improve by 3-5 seconds. Visit cnn.com/motorsport for more news and videos Alongside Ferrari, Red Bull is expected to mount a sustained challenge to Mercedes this year -- the German team dominated 2016, winning all but two of the 21 races. Ferrari was fastest at winter testing in Barcelona but Red Bull wasn't far behind -- raising hopes that this season's RB13 can evolve into a championship-winning car in 2017. Journey into the unknown READ: F1's debt to little man with enormous energy 'I feel more and more relaxed with every year and every race ...' the teenager replied. READ: Bottas reveals hidden talent For Verstappen, victory doesn't necessarily mean first place in Melbourne. READ: Bottas reveals hidden talent 'But not just in a single aspect -- everywhere. That's what you do if you want to drive the whole car concept forward. But it is still the best-looking car on the grid!' READ: F1's debt to little man with enormous energy READ: F1's debt to little man with enormous energy So is he feeling the pressure as he and teammate Daniel Ricciardo seek to end Mercedes' dominance? READ: Rookie driver topped for F1 greatness Ferrari was fastest at winter testing in Barcelona but Red Bull wasn't far behind -- raising hopes that this season's RB13 can evolve into a championship-winning car in 2017. READ: Can Verstappen be as big as Cruyff? 'But not just in a single aspect -- everywhere. That's what you do if you want to drive the whole car concept forward. But it is still the best-looking car on the grid!' 'I just have to follow the car: if the car is able to finish third, I am happy with third; the same goes for fifth.' Visit cnn.com/motorsport for more news and videos READ: Verstappen's brilliant drive in torrential rain at Brazilian GP READ: F1's debt to little man with enormous energy Alongside Ferrari, Red Bull is expected to mount a sustained challenge to Mercedes this year -- the German team dominated 2016, winning all but two of the 21 races. Ferrari was fastest at winter testing in Barcelona but Red Bull wasn't far behind -- raising hopes that this season's RB13 can evolve into a championship-winning car in 2017.

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