A chaotic opening segment of qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix saw several big names knocked out early, including Max Verstappen, after a dramatic Q1 session at the Albert Park Circuit.
The session was halted earlier by a red flag after Verstappen crashed into the barriers, forcing marshals to clear debris and inspect the track. The incident proved costly for the Red Bull driver, who was unable to set a competitive lap time and finished the session in P20, eliminating him from further qualifying.
Several experienced drivers also struggled to progress beyond the first segment as teams continued adapting to the new technical regulations introduced for the 2026 season.
The drivers eliminated in Q1 were:
| Position | Driver |
|---|---|
| P17 | Fernando Alonso |
| P18 | Sergio Pérez |
| P19 | Valtteri Bottas |
| P20 | Max Verstappen |
| P21 | Carlos Sainz |
| P22 | Lance Stroll |
With the 2026 grid expanded to 22 cars, the bottom six drivers are eliminated in Q1, leaving 16 drivers to advance to Q2 and continue the battle for a place in the final top-10 shootout.
Verstappen’s early exit stands out as one of the biggest surprises of the session, especially after the reigning champion lost control and hit the barriers earlier in the segment. The incident added to an already unpredictable qualifying session at the opening race weekend of the season in Melbourne.