close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US
Verstappen in Saudi

Verstappen crash ends "terrible" Saudi qualifying

Verstappen in Saudi — Photo: © LAT Images
5 reacties

Verstappen crash ends "terrible" Saudi qualifying

Verstappen could face a five-place penalty should he require a gearbox change

Max Verstappen slated as "terrible" his Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying display that culminated in him hitting a wall and handing Lewis Hamilton pole position.

Verstappen was a quarter of a second up on title rival Lewis Hamilton's provisional pole time as the chequered flag fell at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

But turning into the start-finish straight, the Red Bull driver locked a brake into turn 27 and was unable to make the left-hander, ultimately clouting a wall with the right side of his car.

"Of course, it's terrible but it was, in general, a good qualifying," reflected Verstappen.

"It was a bit hard to switch on the tyres here around a street circuit but I knew the pace was there and it showed in the last lap.

"I don't really understand what happened but I locked up and I still tried to keep the car on the track, to finish the lap but I clipped the rear and I had to stop.

"But P3 is a bit disappointing today knowing what lap I was on. Nevertheless, it shows the car is quick and let's see what we can do in the race."

The rear-right suspension was visibly damaged in the contact, leading to immediate concern he may have damaged the gearbox.

Should a change be required, he would be hit with a five-place grid penalty for the second race in succession.

Asked for his initial reaction, Verstappen added: "I don't know. I immediately stopped so let's see."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Fernando Alonso takes drastic action to avoid injury from Aston Martin F1 car

Fernando Alonso takes drastic action to avoid injury from Aston Martin F1 car

  • Yesterday 23:30
Lewis Hamilton's mum 'gobsmacked' by Chinese Grand Prix discovery

Lewis Hamilton's mum 'gobsmacked' by Chinese Grand Prix discovery

  • Yesterday 22:55
McLaren 'would have won F1 world championship with Daniel Ricciardo'

McLaren 'would have won F1 world championship with Daniel Ricciardo'

  • Yesterday 22:15
Lewis Hamilton drops heart eyes emoji to ‘hard launch’ Kim Kardashian relationship

Lewis Hamilton drops heart eyes emoji to ‘hard launch’ Kim Kardashian relationship

  • Yesterday 21:30
Aston Martin ‘are now looking for a new team principal’ claims top F1 insider

Aston Martin ‘are now looking for a new team principal’ claims top F1 insider

  • Yesterday 20:55
Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff 'overwhelmed' at emotional Lewis Hamilton reunion

Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff 'overwhelmed' at emotional Lewis Hamilton reunion

  • Yesterday 19:53

Just in

16-3
Fernando Alonso takes drastic action to avoid injury from Aston Martin F1 car
16-3
Lewis Hamilton's mum 'gobsmacked' by Chinese Grand Prix discovery
16-3
McLaren 'would have won F1 world championship with Daniel Ricciardo'
16-3
Lewis Hamilton drops heart eyes emoji to ‘hard launch’ Kim Kardashian relationship
16-3
Aston Martin ‘are now looking for a new team principal’ claims top F1 insider
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Red Bull star raises FIA alarm after worrying Aston Martin development Chinese Grand Prix

Red Bull star raises FIA alarm after worrying Aston Martin development

Yesterday 18:55
Max Verstappen in private jet summit with Red Bull bosses after Chinese Grand Prix disaster Chinese Grand Prix

Max Verstappen in private jet summit with Red Bull bosses after Chinese Grand Prix disaster

Yesterday 17:54
When is the next F1 race? Japanese Grand Prix schedule with full 2026 running order including UK and US times Japanese Grand Prix

When is the next F1 race? Japanese Grand Prix schedule with full 2026 running order including UK and US times

Yesterday 17:30
F1 Explained: Why Lance Stroll was excluded from official drivers' standings F1 News & Gossip

F1 Explained: Why Lance Stroll was excluded from official drivers' standings

Yesterday 16:51
Ontdek het op Google Play
x