Verstappen crash ends "terrible" Saudi qualifying

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."

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