Max Verstappen has sent a clear message to Red Bull Racing, demanding that they "make strides" with the performance of the RB21 following McLaren's impressive performance in the first qualifying session of the Formula 1 season.

Although Verstappen managed to secure a respectable third position on the grid at Albert Park, his qualifying time fell short of pole-sitter Lando Norris by nearly four-tenths of a second. This gap has raised concerns for the four-time world champion, as he faces a formidable McLaren team that appears to have made substantial progress.

The Red Bull team seemed troubled after a challenging pre-season testing in Bahrain. Nevertheless, Verstappen's qualifying performance provided a glimmer of optimism for the Milton Keynes squad. However, teammate Liam Lawson encountered significant difficulties during his debut at the Melbourne circuit, suffering from a power unit problem that hampered his practice sessions and relegated him to P18 in qualifying.

Verstappen acknowledged improvements in the RB21's balance but emphasized that the car remains off the pace. "The car did improve slightly," he told Viaplay, "but the gap in Q3 clearly indicates we are not where we need to be yet." When asked about McLaren's performance, the 63-time GP winner stated, "I’m not surprised. I’m happy to be third; it's the first race weekend, and we’ll see how we can develop the car moving forward."

Despite his solid qualifying performance, Verstappen tempered expectations for the Australian Grand Prix itself. He expressed skepticism over their race pace compared to McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes, stating, "I don’t think we have the race pace of McLaren. It’s going to be tough."

With the potential for rain during the race, there could be a chance for Verstappen to showcase his skill in variable conditions. "If it rains, everything changes," he remarked, leaving room for unexpected outcomes. He added humorously, "I don't care if it’s 40 degrees or 20 degrees. Ice is fine too, just like gravel," highlighting his readiness for whatever the race might bring.

As the anticipation builds for the Australian Grand Prix, fans are left wondering whether Verstappen and Red Bull can turn things around and regain their competitive edge. Can they bridge the gap to McLaren, and will Verstappen's talent shine through in challenging weather? Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting race!