![\"\u2018Not](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/XPB_1399356_HiRes.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMax Verstappen walks from his car after his qualifying crash in Melbourne. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMax Verstappen walks from his car after his qualifying crash in Melbourne. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
The four-time world champion\u2019s qualifying came to an abrupt end in Q1 when he spun under braking for Turn 1 on his first flying lap of the session.<\/p>\n
The Dutchman slid through the gravel before striking the barrier, bringing an end to his session and ensuring a rear-of-grid start.<\/p>\n
Verstappen admitted he was stunned by the incident itself, explaining that the rear axle suddenly locked as he applied the brakes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, I just hit the pedal and the whole rear axle just completely locked,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich, especially with these F1 cars, [is] very weird, I mean I\u2019ve never experienced that in my whole life.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Red Bull driver\u2019s frustration extended beyond the crash itself, as he continued to voice strong criticism of Formula 1\u2019s new generation of machinery.<\/p>\n
\u201cI said how I thought about it. I mean, I\u2019m definitely not having fun at all with these cars,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know, you can make up your mind \u2013 but I think if you look at the onboard, you see enough, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
Verstappen\u2019s comments follow reports that he delivered a blunt assessment of the new regulations during Friday\u2019s drivers\u2019 briefing.<\/p>\n
The Dutchman reacted angrily when told details of that discussion had emerged publicly.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a bit weird that, you know. Drivers shouldn\u2019t be speaking,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, that\u2019s not very professional, I find, from the people involved.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite suggestions F1 could make adjustments to energy harvesting and deployment rules during the season, Verstappen believed those changes would not solve what he sees as a deeper issue with the formula.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can only make it slower and then of course you get a bit more of a normal speed trace \u2013 but it\u2019s a slower speed trace,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe formula is just not correct. And that is something that is a bit harder to change. But I think we need to.\u201d<\/p>\n
The four-time world champion also revealed he required precautionary X-rays on his hands following the heavy impact at Albert Park.<\/p>\n
Images showed Verstappen appearing to feel discomfort in his hands after climbing out of the car, but scans later confirmed he had avoided serious injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll good,\u201d he said afterwards.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just had to get some X-rays done to see if my hands were okay, but nothing was broken.\u201d<\/p>\n
The difficult start to the new era also coincided with a tough qualifying session for Red Bull, with Verstappen highlighting the scale of the gap to the front after Mercedes locked out the front row.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I mean, the gap is eight tenths to P1. So that\u2019s still a very big gap,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we know that we have to improve the car and engine to fight Mercedes, because at the end of the day we\u2019re not here to be P3-4-5-6-whatever.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re here to win. Step by step hopefully we can get closer.\u201d<\/p>\n
The former champion suggested the season ahead could be a difficult one as teams continue to get to grips with the new rules.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a long season,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m telling you.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/285241.gif\")