Verstappen tuned in for Bahrain and China grands prix

Max Verstappen is hoping to kick-start his 2018 Formula 1 season with back-to-back grands prix in Bahrain and China. The Red Bull star finished sixth in Australia last week, going on to criticise the dull nature of a race which featured only five on-track overtakes.

Verstappen qualified fourth at Albert Park behind the Ferrari pair of Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel, but was overtaken at the first corner by the Haas of Kevin Magnussen.

After sustaining floor damage in the early exchanges, Verstappen later spun out while chasing Magnussen and then spent large swathes of the race in fruitless pursuit of Fernando Alonso.

Verstappen later said he would have switched the race off if he were watching on television.

However, races in Bahrain and China will give Verstappen the chance to prove his and Red Bull's front-running credentials in 2018.

"The weekend is an interesting one as you only have one session to understand how the car behaves under the night race conditions because the other two sessions are during the day, so it's a bit hot.

"The track itself is very technical, you have some slow corners and then you end up in some really fast corners which makes it a fun circuit.

"Driving under the lights is always nice as we don't get a lot of opportunity throughout the year."

Verstappen overtook nine cars on the opening two laps in China last year as the race started in wet conditions.

From 16th on the grid, he completed the podium and the Dutchman hopes for more success at the Shanghai International Circuit in a fortnight's time.

"China was good for me last year with a podium," he said.

"As the track is so wide it is good for overtaking, this usually leads to an exciting and action-packed race. It is quite heavy on tyres, the fronts especially.

"The Chinese fans are really passionate so I look forward to seeing them out in force again and us all having a great race weekend."