Christian Horner confirms experiments as Max Verstappen secures pole in Australian Grand Prix qualifying

Horner has been working in Australia as normal despite the ongoing speculation surrounding his position.

And the 50-year-old has confirmed Red Bull experimented with their front-wing flap angle on their cars right throughout the session.

"All through practice and qualifying, we've been giving away a tenth-and-a-half in sector three, and finally managed to get the balance right [for qualifying]," Horner told Viaplay NL.

"Max did two great laps, both of which were good enough for pole, and Checo delivered a great lap to put himself third on the grid, so first and third is really good for tomorrow.

"I think we tried the full range of the front-wing adjust through that session, and it just kept going up and up and up on the front-wing, and it is quite windy as well.

"It is getting cooler as well towards the end of qualifying, but he got it together, got it worked out and did two great laps."

Verstappen is the favourite to win the race in Australia.

But the 26-year-old, speaking to Sky Sports, insists Ferrari will pose a threat in the main event on Sunday.

​"A bit unexpected today in qualifying but very happy with Q3," he said.

"Both of those laps felt very nice and it was enjoyable.

"A bit of a tricky weekend so far but we managed to be there at the end, so very happy with that.

"Ferrari seem quick on the long runs, so bit of a question mark for tomorrow, but I guess that makes it exciting."

With Perez taking third, it was a good day at the office for Red Bull.

And the Mexican was delighted with his performance, though did admit he initially struggled to get going.

"There was a bit more in it. My first sector was not great, especially Turn One," he said.

"On my final lap, I didn't hook the whole combination which straight away is a tenth or tenth and a half.

"But, I'm happy given I think how we have been during the weekend.

"I think tomorrow we have a fight on our hands with the Ferraris and the rest of the field.

"Degradation is going to be very high, so starting position is not as relevant at the moment."

There was once a time when Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton could battle it out for F1 glory.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

• Toto Wolff reveals Mercedes are 'waiting' for Max Verstappen with relationship repaired amid Red Bull saga
• Nike proposed 'rainbow colours' before tweaking St George's Cross on new England shirt as details emerge
• Tyson Fury training suspicions raised as mega Oleksandr Usyk fight creeps closer - 'I am sure'

But those days are over, with Hamilton and Mercedes set for another difficult season based on this evidence.

Hamilton could only finish 11th in qualifying, with the 39-year-old continuing to toil ahead of his move to Ferrari next year.

And the Stevenage-born racer criticised the car after his hopes of Australian Grand Prix glory were dealt a huge blow.

"It felt great in P3. It was strange because we were right there with these guys and we didn’t really understand why," he told Sky Sports.

"But then go into qualifying, it’s just another inconsistency within the car, it really messes with the mind.

"George [Russell] did a good job today. It is what it is. I just have to try to do a better job tomorrow.

"I think our car is on a bit of a knife edge. In the afternoon here the wind picks up, the same as P2.

"P1 was a bit better and then when the wind picks up, the car becomes a lot more unstable. And then this morning was nice with calmer wind, and then as soon as the wind picks up it gets a little bit less stable.

"But the other teams picked their pace up in qualifying. I’m not sure why, but the grid didn’t feel the same in qualifying.

"Even though we had lighter fuel, it felt better in P3.

"So it’s not a great feeling, for everyone in the team, but we’ll just keep cracking away."