Max Verstappen wasn't too disheartened not to pass Lewis Hamilton as he claimed third place at the Australian Grand Prix.

As expected, the Red Bull came alive in the race, with the Dutchman keeping pace with the Mercedes and comfortably faster than both Ferrari's over the 58 laps.

Having not fallen into the trap of pitting early, as Hamilton did after Sebastian Vettel, it would allow him to pick off the German at Turn 3 and score a podium for the team's first race with Honda.

“To start the season on the podium and challenging the Mercedes car ahead is a very positive start for us," he said. “A big well done to the team after the difficult Friday we had.”

There was a chance for Verstappen to attack Lewis in the closing laps before a small error at Turn 1 cost him two seconds.

Despite that, the 21-year-old doubts he would have passed the world champion anyway, because of two factors.

“It was unfortunate but I don’t think it would have changed the end result," he claimed.

“On the first [set of] tyres, as soon as you got within 1.5 seconds the tyres overheated and I couldn’t place an attack.

“As soon as I got on to the mediums, the car felt good and as soon as I had the opportunity [to pass Vettel] I went for it, but Lewis had more pace than Seb and at this track it is so hard to overtake.

“I was just trying to push up to Lewis and go for the fastest lap but it did not work out, but I’m happy to be third, happy for the team and Honda. Since we started working together I’m really happy with them.”