Verstappen crash causes early red flag in first F1 2026 qualifying
Max Verstappen will start the first race of Formula 1's new rules era from the back after crashing in Australian Grand Prix Q1 and causing a red flag.
Red Bull's four-time F1 world champion was on his first flying lap with seven and a half minutes of the segment to go when his car snapped into a spin on the approach to Turn 1.
Verstappen skipped across the gravel trap and into the tyre barriers, immediately ending his session and causing an eight-minute red flag.
The Red Bull's rear axle seemed to lock - Verstappen suggested as much on the team radio - after he braked and had downshifted one or even two gears.
It was still quite early in the braking phase though, very sudden, and caused an immediate 180-degree spin, indicating it was likely caused while the engine was harvesting energy under braking.
When that happens too aggressively it is like a handbrake being applied. By the time he hit the wall, Verstappen had completed almost a full 360-degree rotation and hit the barrier with the front right.
Verstappen extracted himself from the car and walked away seemingly without harm - although as he kept hold of the steering wheel in the accident, his wrists may have suffered some discomfort.
He is due to start 20th, as neither Carlos Sainz (Williams) nor Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) took to the track in Q1.
Fernando Alonso was fastest of the drivers eliminated in Q1 who did set a time. The Aston Martin driver ended up three quarters of a second from a Q2 place in 17th, ahead of Cadillac duo Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas.
