Max Verstappen fumes over radio after Australian GP qualifying crash | F1 | Sport
Max Verstappen was left simmering in the cockpit of his crashed Red Bull after spinning off track and into the barrier in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix. Crucially, he had not completed a flying lap before the accident which means the four-time world champion will start the first race of this new Formula 1 season from the back of the grid.
Verstappen was starting a flying lap when he braked and attempted to turn right, but spun around when both rear wheels locked up under braking, leaving him a powerless passenger in the cockpit. The Red Bull skated across the gravel and hit the barrier, immediately ending his participation in the session and causing red flags to be brought out.
His displeasure was obvious as he spoke over the radio before climbing out of the car. He swore in anger before telling his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase: “The car just f****** locked on the rear axles,” before sarcastically adding: “Fantastic.”
And, while watching several replays of the incident, Sky Sports F1 co-commentator Martin Brundle was quickly able to absolve Verstappen of any blame for the crash. “No, that’s not driver error,” he said on the live broadcast. “How often do you see Max Verstappen making fundamental errors? He’s hit the brakes and it’s just locked the rear axle.”
It had looked unlikely that Antonelli would be able to get out on track in time to set a lap and avoud starting alongside Verstappen at the back of the grid on Sunday. But a combination of the Dutchman’s crash and some stellar work from those Mercedes mechanics gave him a chance and he took it, going sixth fastest and telling his colleagues over the radio: “Thank you guys, you’re the best.”
Verstappen was not the only one who failed to set a lap time – he was one of three drivers who didn’t manage to register in Q1. Lance Stroll never made it out of the Aston Martin garage as a lack of spare engine battery packs allowed only for Fernando Alonso to head out on track – only to qualify 17th and also drop out in Q1. And Carlos Sainz also did not participate in the session as Williams encountered a problem on his car.
The other two to fall at the first hurdle were Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, the Mexican one place ahead of his Cadillac team-mate in 18th. They were the two slowest drivers of those who set a time but were pleased on the radio to have completed the team’s first ever qualifying session in F1, with Perez saying: “Well done, guys. It’s been a very tricky start with many problems, but we’re getting there. Now, we really need to find the pace.”
