Max Verstappen had an X-ray on his hands after a “very weird” crash in the first part of Qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix.
Verstappen’s Red Bull snapped sideways as soon as he hit the brakes on his first flying lap heading into Turn One, sending him 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, so will start Sunday’s season-opener in Melbourne from 20th.
“All good. I just had to get some X-rays done to see if my hands were OK, but nothing was broken,” Verstappen confirmed.
Verstappen suffered just his eighth Q1 elimination in his career since joining the F1 grid in 2015 and was confused about the cause of his accident.
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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen crashed into the barriers during Q1 at the Australian Grand Prix
“I didn’t speak to the team yet or didn’t look into any data, but to lose the car like that on the braking I’ve never experienced that in my life,” he told Sky Sports F1.
“I hit the pedal and suddenly the whole rear axle just completely locked up, so definitely a bit weird.
“I think it already went wrong before the downshift because I hit the pedal and as soon as I hit the pedal, because you quite quickly downshift, it already immediately locked on the peak of the brake pressure, basically. So something very weird, that’s for sure.”
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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was left bemused after he crashed out of Q1 at the Australian Grand Prix
Hadjar: Red Bull just lacking pure performance
Isack Hadjar qualified a surprise third on his first Red Bull outing, which will provide the Milton Keynes-based outfit some solace.
Red Bull have built their own power unit for the new 2026 regulations, in collaboration with Ford, and were expected by many to be uncompetitive compared to the Mercedes and Ferrari-powered cars when announcing their engine partnership three years ago.
But, only the works Mercedes team were able to beat Hadjar, who is not expecting to challenge Russell and Antonelli for victory on Sunday.
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Isack Hadjar impressed, qualifying third in Australia in his first race with new team Red Bull
“What happens in Melbourne, it just doesn’t really matter compared to the car we’re going to have at the end of the year,” said Hadjar.
“Rhe progression curve is so steep that it’s going to be a lot different. So, at the moment we know our weakness. We have a reliable car underneath, which is positive, but we’re just lacking pure performance at the minute.”
Sky Sports F1’s Australian GP schedule
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As Formula 1 enters a new era, Tate McRae’s GRAMMY-nominated Just Keep Watching will become the new title track for Sky Sports’ F1 coverage this season and beyond
Saturday March 7
9.45pm: F3 Feature Race*
Sunday March 8
12.20am: F2 Feature Race*
2.30am: Australian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
4am: THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX*
6am: Australian GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
7am: Ted’s Notebook*
7.55am: Australian GP race replay*
10am: Australian GP highlights (also on Sky One)*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Watch every race of the 2026 Formula 1 season live on Sky Sports, starting with the Australian Grand Prix from this Sunday. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
