Clutch issue to blame for Verstappen’s first-corner exit

Max Verstappen says a clutch problem at the start of the Austrian Grand Prix led to him being collected at the first corner, forcing him out for the third grand prix on the trot.

A scenic view of the start. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes AMG F1 W08, Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF70H, Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB13, Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari SF70H, Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 Team VF-17, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W08, Sergio Perez, Sahara Force India F1 VJM10 and Esteban Ocon, Sahara Force India F1 VJM10. Behind, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB13, spins after contact from Fernando Alonso, McLaren and Daniil Kvyat, Scuderia Toro Rosso STR12

Daniil Kvyat, Scuderia Toro Rosso STR12, collides, Fernando Alonso, McLaren MCL32

Verstappen suffered a clutch issue leaving the startline in Spielberg, which meant he tumbled down the order in the race to the first corner.

There, he was hit by Fernando Alonso's McLaren, which had already been punted into a spin by Daniil Kvyat's Toro Rosso.

"I already felt in the formation lap that it was not fantastic," said Verstappen. "And in the actual start I got a failure, so I got anti-stall, and then on the run up to Turn 1 it didn't feel great.

"I tried to stay out of trouble, to go wide, and I got hit on the rear tyre. Because of that, the clutch over-engaged, and it basically broke the bearing in the clutch. So I had no drive anymore.

"Of course I'm very disappointed for the fans, they were the best crowd I've seen so far and I couldn't even do a start or one corner for them, never mind 71 laps."

Alonso also forced out

Austria also marked a seventh non-finish of the season for Alonso, who was forced to retire with accident damage.

"It's a shame, but it wasn't in our hands," said Alonso. "Carlos [Sainz] and Verstappen had some problems and we had recovered those two positions and we arrived in Turn 1 and they touched us and ruined our races.

"We can't do anything, it's not in our hands. The starts are like this sometimes and these things happen, and when you are in the middle of the group or at the back there's more problems, and today it was our turn and hopefully next time it will be fine."