Max Verstappen had a “very strange” crash during the first half of qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix and had his hand x-rayed.
Verstappen’s Red Bull snapped sideways as soon as he hit the brakes on the first flying lap heading into Turn 1, crashing through the gravel and into the wall.
The four-time world champion was seen looking at his hands after jumping out of the car, but was cleared by the medical team and is scheduled to compete in Sunday’s season opener in Melbourne.
“Everything is fine. I had to take an X-ray to make sure my hand was okay, but nothing was broken,” Verstappen confirmed.
Verstappen suffered just the eighth Q1 loss in his career since joining the F1 grid in 2015, and was left confused as to the cause of the accident.
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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen crashes into barrier during Q1 of Australian Grand Prix
“I haven’t talked to the team yet and I haven’t looked at the data, but I’ve never lost a car that much under braking in my life,” he told Sky Sports F1.
“It was definitely a little weird because I hit the pedal and all of a sudden the whole rear axle locked up completely.
“I think the problem was already there before I even downshifted. I hit the pedal, and the moment I hit the pedal, it downshifted so quickly that it was basically already immediately locked into a brake pressure peak. So, something very strange, that’s for sure.”
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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen left confused after Q1 loss at Australian Grand Prix
Hajjar: “Red Bull just lacks pure performance”
Isaac Hajar achieved a surprising third place in his first appearance for Red Bull, which will give the Milton Keynes-based team some consolation.
Red Bull has worked with Ford to develop its own power unit to meet the new 2026 regulations, but when the engine partnership was announced three years ago, many expected it to be uncompetitive compared to Mercedes and Ferrari-powered cars.
However, only the works Mercedes team was able to beat Hajar, who does not expect to challenge Russell and Antonelli for victory on Sunday.
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Isaac Hajjar impresses after qualifying third in Australia in his first race with new team Red Bull
“Whatever happens in Melbourne is nothing compared to the car we’ll have at the end of the year,” Hajar said.
“The progress curve is going to be very different because it is very steep. So at the moment we are aware of our weaknesses. We have a reliable car under us and that is a positive, but at the moment we are just missing pure performance.”
Sky Sports F1 Australian GP Schedule
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Grammy-nominated Tate McRae’s ‘Just Keep Watching’ will be the new title track of Sky Sports’ F1 coverage from this season onwards as F1 enters a new era
Saturday, March 7th
9:45pm: F3 Feature Race*
Sunday, March 8th
12:20am: F2 Feature Race*
2:30am: Preparation for Australian Grand Prix: Grand Prix Sunday*
4am: Australian Grand Prix*
6am: Australian Grand Prix reaction: Checkered flag*
7am: Ted’s Notes*
7.55am: Australian GP race replay*
10am: Australian GP Highlights (also on Sky One)*
*Also held at Sky Sports Main Event
Watch every race of the 2026 F1 season live on Sky Sports, starting with the Australian Grand Prix this Sunday. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract
