Max Verstappen will head into the F1 Australian GP from the back of the grid, after an accident in Qualifying left him unable to set a time. Verstappen will start the F1 Australian GP from 20th on the grid.
Heading into the weekend, the Red Bull driver looked like a candidate who could challenge for best of the rest behind the dominant Mercedes. However, the first Qualifying of the 2026 F1 season ended early for Verstappen, who lost the car on the run down to Turn 1 and ended up in the barriers. Luckily, the 28-year-old escaped unharmed.
“You can see my hands are ok, but nothing was broken,” Verstappen confirmed after the session.
Cause of the accident unknown
Explaining the accident that led to the early end of his Australian GP Qualifying, Verstappen notes that it was “very weird.” The rear axle of the Red Bull “completely locked,” leaving the 4-time World Champion a passenger.
“I just hit the pedal, and the whole rear axle just completely locked. Which is, especially with these Formula 1 cars, very weird. I mean, I’ve never experienced that in my whole life.”
Puzzled by the incident, Verstappen explained that he didn’t know what caused the rear axle to lock and would have to consult the team.
“No, I have no idea. I have no idea where it comes from. I didn’t speak to the team yet, I didn’t get the time yet.”
Verstappen on the 2026 F1 regulations
Questioned whether the issue could be symptomatic of the 2026 F1 regulations, Verstappen was cautious in his response noting that they would have to look into several areas.
“I mean I don’t know. There’s so many things that we need to look at. I think in general it’s more… What can I say? It’s…”
Ahead of the Australian GP, Verstappen had already voiced his opinion on the new regulation cycle and its impact on his enjoyment of the sport. In the driver’s briefing for the Australian GP, the Red Bull driver maintained his stance.
“Of course. It’s a bit weird that you know. Drivers shouldn’t be speaking. But that’s not really the question I find from the people involved. But anyway, I said how I felt about it. I mean, I’m definitely not having fun at all with these cars. I don’t know.
“I mean, you can make up your mind, but I think if you look at the onboard, you’ll see that, right?”
While Verstappen remains critical of the regulations ahead of the Australian GP, he admits there is “nothing” to be done except to make it “slower”.
“There’s nothing that you can do. You can only make it slower. And then, of course, you get a bit more of a normal speed race, but it’s a slower speed race.
“The formula is just not correct, and that is something that is a bit harder to change. But I think we need to.”
Verstappen on Mercedes F1 Australian GP dominance
Mercedes already looked like the favorite before the 2026 F1 season got on its way this weekend. The dominance the team showed from FP3 and in Qualifying for the Australian GP thus came as no surprise to Verstappen, who had already taken note of their competitiveness during F1 testing in Bahrain.
“That’s what I said already in Bahrain: ‘Let’s wait and see in Melbourne, and you will see how fast they are.’ So, for me, that’s not a surprise.”
In Qualifying for the Australian GP, Mercedes driver George Russell claimed pole, with the second Red Bull of Isack Hadjar 8 tenths down in third. A gap that, according to Verstappen, requires Red Bull to improve its package if they seek to challenge Mercedes.
“Well, the gap is 8 tenths to P1. So, that’s still a very big gap. And we know that we have to improve the car and engine to fight Mercedes.
“Because at the end of the day, we’re not here to be P3, 4, 5, 6, whatever. We’re here to win. So, step by step, hopefully we can get closer.”
Expectations for the Australian GP
After a disastrous Qualifying, Verstappen will head into the F1 Australian GP from P20. Looking ahead to tomorrow’s race, Verstappen does not expect that changes to the car would help him make his way to the front, noting:
“I wouldn’t even know what to change.”
Given that no massive changes will be made in the near future, Verstappen predicts: “It’s going to be a long season.” He adds: “I mean, we’re trying our best.”
Verstappen’s new Red Bull teammate, Isack Hadjar, ended Qualifying for the Australian GP in third place behind the Mercedes duo. The 4-time World Champion praised Hadjar, hoping that they would be able to hold on to the position during the race.
“He is having a very solid first weekend. I’m so very happy for him to be there. And I hope that we can stay here.”
