Red Bull driver Max Verstappen crashed heavily during qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, a race considered a home event for his team. The incident led to a controversial conclusion of the qualifying session, with Mercedes' George Russell ultimately claiming pole position.
Verstappen, who had qualified for Q3 with a strategic call, was on his final lap when he lost control of his car entering Turn 9, a high-speed right-hander. The car slid into the gravel and made significant contact with the barrier. Verstappen reportedly mentioned the car felt loose, and his race engineer noted a potential issue with the rear wing, suggesting it may not have closed in time and affected downforce.
The crash brought out yellow flags, which initially appeared to be double-waved. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli aborted his lap upon seeing the flags. However, his teammate George Russell, who was on a fast lap, proceeded despite the yellow flags, apparently recognizing them as single-waved.
Russell's decision allowed him to set a lap fast enough for pole. Complaints arose from other drivers, including Antonelli, regarding Russell improving his time under yellow flags. Nevertheless, the stewards did not investigate, and the qualifying results stood.
Russell is set to start the Austrian Grand Prix from pole, with Charles Leclerc of Ferrari alongside him. Lewis Hamilton will start third, with Antonelli in fourth. Verstappen's first qualifying lap was sufficiently fast that he is expected to start from fifth place, barring any grid penalties for car component replacements.