Max Verstappen to have x-rays on his hands after 'very weird' Australian Grand Prix qualifying crash
Max Verstappen will have x-rays on his hands to rule out any injuries suffered in his bizarre crash in the first part of qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix.
Verstappen spun under brakes on the entry to the first corner, skipped across the gravel and nosed into the tyre wall.
After climbing from his Red Bull, Verstappen was seen shaking his hands. He will start Sunday's race from 20th.
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Max Verstappen will have x-rays on his hands after his crash in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix. FOX Sports
Former driver-turned-commentator Martin Brundle speculated Verstappen would likely have had a shock go through his hands as the front of the car hit the wall. It was these forces that broke Daniel Ricciardo's hand in a relatively innocuous crash during practice for the Dutch Grand Prix in 2023.
The four-time champion is one of few drivers who generally do not let go of the wheel before a crash. Those who don't argue it gives them the most chance of saving the car, while risking injury if the wheel rips out of his hands.
Speaking after the crash, Verstappen said the moment was "very weird", but characteristic of the new-for-2026 cars.
Verstappen spins through the gravel. AP
"I just hit the pedal and the whole rear axle just completely locked, which is especially with these Formula 1 cars, very weird," he told media including Wide World of Sports.
"I've never experienced that in my whole life. I have no idea. I have no idea where it comes from.
"There's so many things that that we need to look at, I think in general as a sport, so - yeah, what can I say?"
"I'm definitely not having fun at all with these cars."
The Dutchman qualified 20th. It's just the second time he has been knocked out in the first part of qualifying on merit in his career.
For fans, a silver lining of Verstappen's crash means doubts about the raceability of the new cars and how difficult it is to overtake will be put to the test.
At the front, George Russell claimed a dominant pole position as Mercedes locked out the front row.
The Australian Grand Prix begins at 3pm on Sunday.
