Max Verstappen did not start the 2026 Formula 1 season exactly on the right foot. In qualifying for the Australian GP this Saturday (7), the Dutchman crashed during Q1 and failed to set a time, starting from the back of the pack in Melbourne.
Read more F1: Check out the full qualifying result for the 2026 Australian GP
The clock started running at Albert Park and released the drivers onto the track. With 15 minutes, they had plenty of time for their fast laps and to try to place themselves in the top-16 – in the new qualifying format, six are eliminated in Q1 and six are eliminated in Q2.
It turns out the Red Bull Dutchman waited until closer to the end to leave the garage. It turns out that when he came for his first timed attempt, he went off and hit the tire barrier hard at turn 1, causing an immediate red flag with just over seven minutes to the checkered flag.
Read more F1: Bortoleto believes 8th was possible on the Australia grid: «Fight with the Racing Bulls»
While the four-time champion said on the radio that he was fine and did not need help getting out of the car, his session was over there and he soon went to the medical center. With no chance to set a time, he will start from the back of the pack – Max was not the only one without a time in Q1, as Carlos Sainz and Lance Stroll also did not complete laps.
“The car simply locked the rear axles, fantastic,” he said after the accident.
Read more F1: Check out the images of the 2026 Australian GP qualifying
