Jean Alesi (ex-Ferrari) after Verstappen’s crash: “Bianchi’s death forgotten?”

At the end of the thrilling final practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix, events unfolded in rapid succession: Hamilton took the lead, then Leclerc moved ahead – and Verstappen crashed!

The four-time world champion lost control of his car as he turned into the penultimate corner (because the rear wing closed too late, as it later transpired); the car skidded across the gravel trap and crashed broadside into the tyre barriers, Max got out of the car himself and walked away, visibly shaken.

As if the fans weren’t stunned enough, Mercedes driver George Russell emerged in the lead shortly afterwards, whilst championship leader Kimi Antonelli had abandoned his attempt.

Russell had cleverly realised that only yellow flags were being shown ahead of the accident site, not double yellow, so a brief lift of the throttle was enough to still set a fast lap time and clinch pole position.

Long-serving Formula 1 driver Jean Alesi (201 Grands Prix, fourth in the World Championship in 1996 and 1997) is stunned. Speaking to colleagues at the Corriere della Sera, the 62-year-old Frenchman said: “The outcome of the race was decided by a qualifying session that was compromised. The fact that a red flag wasn’t immediately shown after Max Verstappen’s crash, even though a crashed car was standing at the side of the track, makes my hair stand on end.”

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The winner of the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix (with Ferrari) believes: “This sends a terrible message to everyone who drives in Formula 1, and especially to the younger generation.”

“This isn’t about conforming to the race director’s approach, but about demanding that such situations never happen again. It’s as if the tragedy of Jules Bianchi in 2014 had never happened. That is truly shameful.”