Max Verstappen Out Of Saudi Arabian GP Qualifying After Car Disaster

During Q2 of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying, Max Verstappen has had to limp the RB19 home due to what looks to be gearbox issues.

With the Dutchman without a flying lap during the second part of qualifying, he will be facing P15 on the grid tomorrow. At the Jeddah track, this looks like bad news for the current F1 champion who will find it very difficult to overtake on the narrow width of tarmac.

Max is out of the car and will take no further part in qualifying 💔#SaudiArabianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/OZbjkCPvjX
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 18, 2023

The car certainly has the pace to do it, but with reliability issues plaguing many of the teams this weekend, it's not such a surprise especially after we learnt that the Milton Keynes team has already replaced the gearbox.

UPDATE

Now, it sounds as though this was a drive shaft issue on the RB19, with pundits worrying that an imperfection has come to light on the winning Red Bull. This could be bad news for the team.

"I have a problem" 😮

Not the radio message the Red Bull garage wanted to hear! 📻 pic.twitter.com/Mpt9Q52PK5
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) March 18, 2023

Fans were quick to comment on the disappointing end to Verstappen's qualifying.

"He'll still win but ... fun," one viewer posted to Twitter.

Even Karun Chandhok needed to comment on the unbelievable scenes:

"Well…. This has just made tomorrow’s race much more entertaining! Bad news for Max but with the speed he’s got, you can’t discount them for a win yet…"

Max Verstappen is OUT of qualifying! 😮 pic.twitter.com/AYnScwn2r0
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) March 18, 2023

A third, Matt Gallagher, added:

"UNIVERSE GIVE US A FERNANDO ALONSO POLE POSITION RIGHT NOW"

What do you think? Will Verstappen have the pace to take the win tomorrow despite his bad luck today? Let us know in the comments.