PADDOCK INSIDER: Verstappen answers questions over future as Bearman adds to driver market intrigue

Max Verstappen is in the form of his life right now, the reigning world champion arriving in Melbourne having cruised to victory in the opening two races of the season. A third successive win will make it 10 wins on the bounce, equalling a record that he only set 11 Grands Prix ago, and 19 wins in the last 20 races.

With that kind of momentum and a car in such great shape, you might wonder why Verstappen would consider ending his contract with Red Bull – that runs until 2028 – early, considering just how dominant the team is right now, even if there are tensions inside the team including between his father Jos and Red Bull boss Christian Horner.