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Reigning Formula One champion Max Verstappen is trying to figure out how to get back into the title fight after failing to finish the Australian Grand Prix.

Red Bull are scrambling for answers after Max Verstappen failed to finish for the second time in three races to start his Formula One title defence.

The Belgian-Dutch star turned heads after declaring he was unhappy to qualify in second for the Australian Grand Prix but he was left fuming to bow out on lap-39 of Sunday's race at Albert Park.

Verstappen was asked by the Red Bull garage to turn his engine off after conceding he could smell "weird fluid" from his car.

But even post-race, Red Bull principal Christian Horner was still uncertain about caused the issue for their main man to not finish.

"It's totally understandable, his frustration," Horner said.

"That was a really disappointing result not to finish the race.

"We need to get on top of it because we can't accept DNFs."

He is already 46 points behind championship leader Charles Leclerc after the Ferrari driver was unstoppable in Melbourne, finishing more than 20 seconds ahead of Verstappen's Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez in second.

"I already had an indication before starting the race that it was going to be tough to finish so it's not what you want if you want to fight for the title," Verstappen said.

"The gap is already way too big.

"We need to be more reliable and be better on tyres.

"I knew there was a possibility (of retirement) before the race but I try not to think about it and focus on your race.

"Retirements, not happy with the car balance, so a lot of things to work on for the rest of the season."