Verstappen started from pole but failed to finish in Melbourne last year, limping out with smoke billowing from a brake fire.

It's Melbourne week. Just a few more days and the lights will finally go out to kick off the new season of the Formula 1 World Championship, which is already set to be full of news and expectations.

For the fourth part of a mini-series where Autosport is assessing the early Formula 1 careers of the six 2025 rookies, today ...