Max Verstappen bemoans 'TERRIBLE' final lap in qualifying after sending his Red Bull car into the wall in Saudi Arabia as Formula One championship hopeful concedes that P3 start for Jeddah Grand Prix is 'disappointing'

  • Max Verstappen has bemoaned his 'terrible' outcome in qualifying on Saturday 
  • The Red Bull star, 24, sent his car into the wall on his final flying lap of Q3 
  • It means that he has to settle for P3 with Lewis Hamilton beginning on pole
  • Verstappen said his starting position is 'disappointing' after a 'terrible' result 

Max Verstappen was unable to hide his disappointment following his dramatic crash in qualifying as the Red Bull star labelled his final lap woes as 'terrible'.

Verstappen, 24, looked destined to snatch pole position from championship rival Lewis Hamilton on his final flying lap in Jeddah, but a critical error in the third sector resulted in the Dutchman clipping the barrier and stopping.

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The Red Bull driver had to settle for P3 on the grid, with Hamilton taking pole and Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas locking out the front row in P2.

Max Verstappen bemoaned his 'terrible' final flying lap in qualifying in Saudi Arabia
The Red Bull star put his car in the wall to miss out on pole position for the Jeddah Grand Prix

And Verstappen bemoaned his devastating final lap, labelling it 'terrible' and admitting that his P3 starting position is 'disappointing'. 

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'It was terrible but it was, in general, a good qualifying,' Verstappen told Sky Sports F1. 'It was a bit hard to switch on the tyres around the street circuit but I knew the pace was there and it showed. 

'I don't really understand what happened but I locked up and I still tried to of course keep the car on the track, tried to finish the lap but clipped the rear and had to stop.

'P3 is a bit disappointing, knowing what lap I was on but nevertheless it shows that the car is quick and let's see what we can do in the race.' 

Verstappen will start in P3 in Sunday's race
Hamilton took pole in a huge confidence boost in the championship race

Asked about possible damage to his gearbox, Verstappen said: 'I don't know, I immediately stopped so let's see.'    

‘What a tough track this is,’ said Hamilton. ‘It is amazing what they have designed here. For us to get a one-two, I am proud of the guys.’

Hamilton, 36, remains an ever-increasing threat to Verstappen’s ambitions, having won the previous two races prior to qualifying under lights. The race is likely to attract safety cars by the nature of the circuit and it is all to play for.