Former F1 driver slams 'disgraceful' Q3 controversy: 'Not throwing a red flag makes my hair stand on end'

What unfolded during the final Q3 runs at the Red Bull Ring on Saturday became one of the biggest talking points ahead of the race, with Russell securing pole despite visibly lifting off in the final sector, while his teammate admitted he had misjudged the situation and abandoned his lap.

This initially created some uncertainty over who had actually secured pole position, as Charles Leclerc briefly held provisional pole. Russell's lap was then confirmed, allowing him to celebrate pole position, which ultimately proved crucial as he went on to win Sunday's race and end a victory drought stretching back to Melbourne.

Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Alesi condemned the way qualifying was managed, arguing that the outcome of the race had been shaped by an improperly handled session. He said allowing the session to continue with a crashed car still parked beside the track was unacceptable and warned it set the wrong example for everyone in Formula 1, especially young drivers. He insisted that such scenarios should never be allowed to happen again, adding that the response suggested the lessons of Jules Bianchi's fatal accident had been overlooked, before branding the situation scandalous.

Max Verstappen poked fun at George Russell's pole position during the Austrian Grand Prix, joking with his race engineer about pushing under double yellow-flag conditions. The Red Bull Racing driver referred back to Saturday's qualifying controversy during the race, when his crash brought out yellow flags.

After Gianpiero Lambiase informed him of yellow and double-yellow flags around the circuit, Verstappen jokingly suggested that he should keep his foot down past the car before immediately making it clear he was only joking. Lambiase did not engage with the comment and simply reminded him that the Virtual Safety Car was in place.

GP: "Yellow in Turn 10. Double yellow across the start/finish line. Double yellow here, and double yellows."

Verstappen: "That means flat out, right? Past the car? I'm joking!"

GP: "Virtual Safety Car."