MELBOURNE, Australia — After a dramatic crash during qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was confirmed to be unharmed following medical examinations. The four-time world champion underwent X-rays on his hands and was cleared to compete despite the incident that forced him to start 20th on the grid for Sunday’s race.
Details of Verstappen’s Unexpected Qualifying Exit
Verstappen’s early exit took place just seven minutes into Q1, the initial phase of Formula 1’s knockout qualifying system. The Dutch driver lost control of his Red Bull car while braking for turn one, causing him to slide through the gravel trap and crash into the barriers. After climbing out of his car, Verstappen was observed checking his hands before proceeding to get the necessary medical scans.
Driver’s Account of the Unusual Crash
Addressing the incident, Verstappen described the loss of control as unprecedented in his career.
“All good. I just had to get some X-rays done to see if my hands were OK, but nothing was broken,”
he told Sky Sports. He further explained the mechanical issue that led to the crash:
“To lose the car like that on the braking, I’ve never experienced that in my life. I hit the pedal and suddenly the whole rear axle just completely locked up, so definitely a bit weird.”
Context and Impact on Verstappen’s Performance
This qualifying mishap marked Verstappen’s eighth exit in the first qualifying segment since his debut in Formula 1 in 2015, initially with Toro Rosso. Starting from 20th place will pose a significant challenge for the reigning world champion in the Australian GP, but his medical clearance ensures he can still compete and potentially make up ground during Sunday’s race.
