Verstappen crash causes early red flag in first F1 2026 qualifying
The Race • • sports
Key Points:
- Max Verstappen will start the Australian Grand Prix from the back of the grid after crashing in Q1 and causing a red flag.
- The Red Bull driver spun on the approach to Turn 1 due to a suspected rear axle lock-up while braking and downshifting, leading to a 360-degree spin and impact with the tyre barriers.
- Verstappen exited the car unharmed but may have experienced wrist discomfort from holding the steering wheel during the crash.
- Verstappen will start 20th, as Carlos Sainz and Lance Stroll did not participate in Q1, while Fernando Alonso was the fastest driver eliminated in the session.
- Alonso finished 17th, three-quarters of a second shy of advancing to
