Max Verstappen🐈’s chances of becomi🔴ng Formula 1’s youngest ever world champion have taken a major blow after he was forced to retire in the early stages of the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix.

Verstappen was running in a co🔯mfortable second place behind eventual race winner Valtteri Bottas before encountering mechanical issues on lap 15.

When asked what the issue was with his Red Bull, Verstappen told Sky Sports: “Well I suddenly just lost power, drive, got put into anti-stall. I don’t know what the problem is yet, I didn’t go back [to the team] yet. We ෴will find out but of course, it’s not how you want to start.

“I think quite quickly you could see Valtteri wa✤s quite quick. I was trying to do my pace. It would have been an easy podium. What can you do about it?''

Team principal♊ Christian Horner was unable to explain what the issue was with Verstappen’s Red Bull but confirmed the issue on his car was not the same as Alexander Albon’s - who also failed to get to the finish. 

“It looks something total♎ly different,'' Horner said. “It looks something on the power unit side with Alex but we don’t know whether that’s a result of the knock that he’s had or a trip through the gravel. We need to get the car back. We turned the engine off as a precaution.

Horner belie🐓ves Verstappen could have fought for the win due to the issues Mercedes faced in the 🍒second half of the race.

“Mercedes was very quick in that first stint but they turned the engine🔴s down after the first stop and as soon as they did that they came back into our straight-line speed,” he explained. 

“I think Max on that different strategy, it could have really pla🌠yed out well for him. The positives are that we were able to put together a competitive race but we’ve got some pace to find for this week for next weekend and some work to do. Of course, we will come back in a week's time and try to do a ❀bit better.''