Australian Grand Prix, news, live updates, Max Verstappen threatens to quit, start time, how to watch

Reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen has sensationally threatened to quit the sport if organisers continue to make tweaks that are “not in the DNA of Formula One.”

The Dutchman once again hit out at sprint races, and lashed out at a proposal to hold qualifying for the Sunday’s main race on Friday (instead of Saturday), with a separate qualifying on Saturday morning for a stand-alone sprint that afternoon.

“I hope there won’t be too many changes, otherwise I won’t be around for too long,” Verstappen told Portuguese TV channel Sport TV.

In his post-qualifying press conference, Verstappen added: “I am not a fan of [the proposals] at all. When we do all that kind of stuff, the weekend becomes very intense and we already do a lot of races.

“It is not the right way to go about it. I understand they want to make every day exciting but they should reduce the weekend, and only race on Saturday and Sunday and make those two days exciting.

“We are heading into seasons where we could have 24 or 25 races and if you then start adding more it is not worth it for me. I will not enjoy that.

Watch the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2023 live and ad-break free in racing on Kayo Sports this Sunday, 2 April at 3:00pm AEST. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

“A sprint race is all about surviving and not racing. There is nothing to risk when you have a quick car. I prefer to keep my car alive and make sure you have a good race car for Sunday.

“Even if you change the format, I don’t find it is in the DNA of Formula One to do these kinds of sprint races.

“F1 is about getting the most out of it in qualifying and [then] have an amazing Sunday over a long race distance. That is the DNA of the sport and I don’t understand why we need to change that.”

Many of Verstappen’s rivals have praised the proposals, saying they add more interest into a race weekend instead of the traditional format of three free practice sessions – including two on a Friday.

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DOOHAN IN WILD BATTLE

Aussie Jack Doohan – son of motorcycling legend Mick – has put on a show in a wild F2 feature race on Sunday.

Doohan started a lowly 15th but fought his way to 11th in five laps, featuring a dramatic series of overtakes.

He then attempted to overtake Jak Crawford for 10th place on lap six, causing a crash that delivered chaos at Albert Park.

His late lunge saw him just edge past Crawford at the apex and forced his rival wide, with Crawford turning in and slamming into the Australian. Doohan was unharmed, but Crawford was sent across the sand and into the wall, ending his race. Crawford raged on team radio: “Idiot!”

The action forced a safety car at a horrible time for the Australian, who was running on a different tyre strategy to many of his competitors. He rose to second as those in front pitted, but instead of gambling on another safety car later in the race giving him the opportunity to pit without punishment, he opted to pit – and sent himself all the way back to 18th place.

With the safety car remaining out for over ten minutes, Doohan opted to go back into the pits again to swap back to the medium tyres (having used a second tyre compound as required).

SESSION TIMES

Sunday, April 2

9.05am – 9.55am: Formula 3 Feature Race

10.20am-10.55am: Supercars Race 4

11.35am – 12.40pm: Formula 2 Feature Race

1pm — 1.30pm: F1 drivers’ parade

3pm — 5pm: F1 race (58 laps)

HOW TO WATCH

The entire Australian Grand Prix, including every practice, qualifying and race, can be watched live and ad-break free on Foxtel and streaming platform Kayo.

Watch the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2023 live and ad-break free in racing on Kayo Sports this Sunday, 2 April at 3:00pm AEST. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >