Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has crashed out of qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix.
The 28-year-old flew into the barriers at turn one to begin his first flying lap, his rear tyres locking under braking.
“The car just f***ing locked on the rear axles. Fantastic,” he said sarcastically.
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In a concerning sign Verstappen was shaking both hands and appeared to be grimacing — after holding onto the steering wheel at the point of impact.
“I think he’s given himself a bit of a rattle,” Martin Brundle said.
Red Bull quickly sought to apportion blame for the champion’s exit.
“They can’t believe it just as much as we can’t believe it,” Ted Kravitz said in pit lane.
“(Team principal) Laurent Mekies is going through the data just trying to understand why it was that the rear brakes just locked up like that, sending Max Verstappen into that irrecoverable spin.”
Formula 1’s new-for-2026 regulations have split the power unit 50-50 between an internal combustion engine and battery.
The engine is used for recharging now more than ever before.
“As he’s hit the brakes, the engine and the kinetic motor — it’s like pulling the handbrake,” Martin Brundle said.
“That’s not driver error. How often do you see Max Verstappen just making fundamental errors? He’s hit the brakes and it’s just locked the rear-axle.”
Mercedes’ George Russell topped the first session from McLaren’s Australian star Oscar Piastri, Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and reigning champion Lando Norris.
Verstappen’s new teammate Isack Hadjar finished fifth fastest ahead of Mercedes young gun Kimi Antonelli, whose team remarkably repaired his car in time for qualifying following a heavy crash in practice earlier in the day.
Meanwhile, Brundle tipped just 10-12 finishers in Sunday’s grand prix.
“We’ve just seen too many gremlins, haven’t we?” he said.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are not expected to take the chequered flag as their serious engine and battery issues continue.
Stroll and Williams’ Carlos Sainz did not take part in qualifying.
Verstappen was knocked out in Q1 alongside debutants Cadillac, with Sergio Perez six tenths clear of teammate Valtteri Bottas.
“Well done everyone, first quali done of many. The only way is up — let’s go,” Bottas said.
Alonso looked set for a surprise appearance in Q2 until Alpine’s Franco Colapinto produced a last-gasp effort.
