Motor racing-Verstappen crashes out in first qualifying session

Formula One F1 - Australian Grand Prix - Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia - March 7, 2026 Red Bull's Max Verstappen in action during qualifying REUTERS/Hollie Adams

MELBOURNE, March ⁠7 (Reuters) - Four-times Formula ⁠One world champion ‌Max Verstappen crashed out of the first session ​of Australian Grand ⁠Prix qualifying ⁠after losing grip and thudding ⁠his ‌Red Ball car into ⁠a barrier at Albert ​Park ‌on Saturday.

Verstappen skidded out ⁠at ​turn one of the lakeside circuit ⁠but was unharmed and ​exited the car, having not recorded a ⁠single lap time.

"The car just ... locked down the rear axles. ​Fantastic," he ⁠said on the ​team radio.

(Reporting ‌by Ian Ransom ​in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)