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James Porteous

Felix Rosenqvist will start the Macau Grand Prix from pole position after winning Saturday’s Qualification Race, but Formula One-bound teenager Max Verstappen will start from 24th after an embarrassing crash.
Verstappen, 17, damaged the left front corner of his car five laps into the 10-lap race after clipping a wall while challenging for the lead, then comically got stuck on the tight Melco hairpin; he had to retire in his final race in the junior ranks before joining Toro Rosso next season and will need a miracle to make an impression in Sunday’s race.
Verstappen’s gaffe means his weekend is all but over, and might provide fresh fuel for critics who say he is too young for Formula One.
Rosenqvist had a perfect view as he was behind the Dutchman, who was making his Macau debut.
“He braked too late, and slid into the wall, it’s quite a shame for him - but it made my lap a little bit easier.”
Rosenqvist started from pole, but was overtaken shortly after the start by Lucas Auer and Verstappen, who was aggressive early on - perhaps too aggressive.

Auer was stretching ahead, but the safety car had to come out for several laps following a crash, allowing Rosenqvist to close the gap, then surge past the Austrian when the safety car withdrew.
He will start alongside Auer on the front row of the grid. Tom Blomqvist and Esteban Ocon will be in the second row, with Nick Cassidy and Roberto Merhi on the third.
“Exactly the thing I didn’t want to happen happened, I was leading going into Mandarin then lost position going in to Lisboa, I think it’s quite normal here,” said Rosenqvist, who was runner-up in 2012 and started last year’s race from the front of the grid only to be victim of a crash seconds after the start.
“The safety car played out quite well. But as long as you’re top three, I think that’s all that matters.”
“The restart played out quite well, I had a good gap on Lucas at Mandarin and got a slingshot on him.”
 


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Formula One-bound teenager Max Verstappen crashes in Macau Grand Prix

Max Verstappen has almost no chance in Sunday's race. Photos: KY Cheng

Felix Rosenqvist enjoyed a bit of luck with the safety car. Photos: KY Cheng

Sport

China

Felix Rosenqvist will start Sunday's race from pole position after much-hyped Dutchman makes embarrassing gaffe.


Max Verstappen