Dejected Max Verstappen airs frustration over Red Bull 'disaster'

Max Verstappen has labelled his sprint qualifying session from China as a “disaster” following a disappointing run to eighth place.

The four-time champion endured various frustrations during the session, including issues with the car's handling.

Verstappen ran wide at the final corner in SQ2 and through the gravel, moments after he was impeded by Pierre Gasly in an incident he labelled “ridiculous”.

Having only just managed to pull his car into the final segment of sprint qualifying, Verstappen could only consolidate a position on the fourth row for Saturday's race.

“The whole day has been a disaster, pace-wise,” Verstappen said. 

“No grip. Honestly, I think that's the biggest problem. No grip, no balance, just losing massive amounts of time in the corners, to be honest.

“Because of that, you start triggering other little problems. But the big problem for us is that the cornering is completely out.”

Red Bull's frustrations continued as Verstappen's team-mate Isack Hadjar was 10th in the order.

The cars are now locked in parc ferme conditions for the sprint race, but changes will be allowed ahead of Saturday afternoon's qualifying outing.

When asked if Red Bull can turn around its challenger for the remainder of the weekend, Verstappen replied: “We'll have a look. 

“I don't know, at the moment, what we can do. But we'll see.”