Despite showing impressive pace in the dry in Friday practice at Albert Park, Max Verstappen says he would welcome rain in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix.
Verstappen ended second practice just 0.127s behind pacesetter Lewis Hamilton. Red Bull looked to be on a closely matched to Mercedes on pace, with Ferrari also in the mix.
Verstappen and Red Bull have traditionally performed strongly in wet conditions due to the strength of its chassis and the power deficit it faces to Mercedes and Ferrari is reduced significantly in those conditions.
"It should yeah," Verstappen replied when asked if rain would aid Red Bull's chances. "Because it's not so dependent in the wet. It's just a bit more tricky to go on power and stuff, and our car is quite well in the wet and I enjoy myself as well. Hopefully tomorrow will be wet."
The Dutchman believes it's too early to judge whether a three-team fight for the title is a genuine prospect in 2018.
"I don't know yet. We have to wait. This is one Grand Prix but I think we need at least two or three Grands Prix to really see what's going on. Even then, it's all about the development rate of the car."
Rolex Australian Grand Prix Schedule on ESPN Networks (all times Eastern)
Thur., March 22
Practice 1 9 p.m. ESPN3
Friday, March 23
Practice 2 1 a.m. ESPN3
Practice 3 10 p.m. ESPNEWS
Sat., March 24
Qualifying 2 a.m. ESPN2
Sun., March 25
On the Grid 12:30 a.m. ESPN2
Race 1 a.m. ESPN2
Race (encore) 11 a.m. ESPN2
Race (encore) 1 p.m. ESPNEWS
Race (encore) 9 p.m. ESPNEWS