Max Verstappen crashes in Q1 and triggers red flag after losing control in qualifying
Red Bull driver undergoes precautionary X-rays on his hands but is cleared with no fractures
Four-time champion will start the Australian Grand Prix from 20th following only his eighth Q1 exit
Australian GP 2026: Verstappen Crash Ends Qualifying Early, Medical Team Confirms No Breaks
Australian GP 2026: Max Verstappen was cleared by Formula 1 medics after a heavy qualifying crash in Melbourne, but the Red Bull driver will start Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix from 20th after a shock Q1 exit
Summary
Max Verstappen was cleared by Formula 1’s medical team after X-rays on his hands following his crash in qualifying that will see him start from 20th place on the grid in Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix.
The four-time world champion was a surprise exit from Saturday’s qualifying just seven minutes into Q1 — the first of three segments in F1’s knockout format — and was seen inspecting his hands after he got out of his Red Bull.
“All good. I just had to get some X-rays done to see if my hands were OK, but nothing was broken,” Verstappen told Sky Sports.
Australia was the Dutchman’s eighth Q1 exit since he joined the pinnacle of motorsport in 2015 with then-Toro Rosso.
The 28-year-old Verstappen triggered the red flag after he lost control of his Red Bull in braking for turn one and skidded across the gravel trap and into the barriers.
“To lose the car like that on the braking, I’ve never experienced that in my life,” he said. “I hit the pedal and suddenly the whole rear axle just completely locked up, so definitely a bit weird.”
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