F1 LIVE: Max Verstappen threatens to quit the sport in shock claim after qualifying

Max Verstappen has threatened to turn his back on Formula One if the sport’s bosses press ahead with plans to expand the number of sprint events.

The shortened-race format was first introduced at three rounds in 2021, and has been doubled to six for this year, with the first of the season taking place in Azerbaijan at the end of the month.

In its current guise, Friday qualifying determines the grid for Saturday’s dash. The result of the sprint then establishes the order for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

But Saturday’s schedule could now see an additional qualifying session set the grid for the sprint. Friday’s qualifying result would then be the starting order for Sunday’s main event.

Verstappen, two times a world champion, is not a fan of the sport’s plans to increase the number of sprint events

The Red Bull driver, who won two weeks ago in Saudi Arabia, was constantly lurching off the track in third practice earlier on Saturday.

But it got even worse for the Mexican in qualifying as he locked up at turn three in the first few minutes of Q1 in Melbourne.

Perez beached his car in the gravel and was unable to spin his Red Bull out of the trap and, having not set a flying lap, will start P20 for Sunday’s race.

“We need to sort that issue man, it’s the same f****** issue man,” he exclaimed over team radio to his race engineer, as his team-mate and Championship rival Max Verstappen claimed pole position.

The World Championship contender, driving for Red Bull, made a fatal mistake in qualifying

A huge fire broke out in the pit lane at Albert Park on Saturday just after Formula 1 qualifying.

At the start of the Supercars event taking place on track following qualifying, James Courtney’s front left wheel caught fire.

Courtney entered the pit lane, by which point the flames had engulfed the entire car as it grinded to a halt.

Russell, who qualified second for Sunday’s race, was distracted by a huge blaze of fire in the pit lane

“All weekend it’s been hard to get the tyres to push but it all came together in Q3 - looking forward to tomorrow now.

“Normally not, we continue to fine-tune. Almost hit a bird, luckily that didn’t happen, tomorrow we’ll have a good race car, going to be an interesting race.

“I’ve been on the podium once, I want to be on a different step this time.”

“I’m so happy with this. To be on the top-2 rows is a dream for us, to be this close to Red Bull is a dream!

“I’m not disappointed, super greatful for this position and will try to improve!

What’s your target? “To get to first! I’ve been hoping like the first turn of first year, 2007, I don’t know who remembers that!”

Verstappen beat George Russell to top spot by 0.236 seconds to claim his second pole of the year and 22nd of his career.

Lewis Hamilton will line up in third position, one place ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.

Mercedes have endured a poor start to the new season, but the Silver Arrows suddenly find themselves in contention for a surprise victory at Melbourne’s Albert Park with Russell leading their charge.

Hamilton was just nine thousandths adrift of Verstappen before the final runs, but preparations for his last lap were disrupted when he got caught up behind Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg. Although the seven-time world champion improved on his time, he was unable to join Verstappen on the front row with Russell edging out his team-mate by one tenth.

Verstappen claimed his second pole of the year but George Russell and Lewis Hamilton starred in Melbourne

The entire race schedule from Saturday to Sunday will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event in the UK. It will be broadcasted on ESPN in the United States.

Highlights will be aired on Channel 4

How do you stop Max? “No idea to be honest! We were still three-tenths behind. Really challenging, more pace in the race than qualifying - half-a-second delta on a good day. It won’t matter what we do, he’s going to have the upper hand.”

“These conditions have made it incredibly tricky. Outstanding job from Max - it was getting the optimum lap, getting the temperature in the tyres...”

“Max was up to P2 halfway into the race in Jeddah - stay out of trouble. Checo as Max have two hard tyres tomorrow. If that proves to be the more dominant tyre, that could prove to be crucial in the race tomorrow.”

On this year’s Red Bull: “We’re one point off a maximum score in two races, we’ve got some work to do tomorrow. Third pole in a row - to say it’s our best car? We’ve had some mighty cars over the years but it’s right up there. When we head back to Europe, sizable upgrades from other teams, the delta is much smaller here than on other tracks and we’ll see that into the European season.”