Mark Webber claims Australian Grand Prix F1 flop is trying to climb Everest without an ‘oxygen mask’

F1’s rookie class produced a mixed showing in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix on Saturday. None of the drivers managed to make it to Q3.

Isack Hadjar secured the highest grid position in 11th, though teammate Yuki Tsunoda produced a ‘sensational’ lap in Q3 to take fifth and show the potential of the Racing Bulls car. Jack Doohan had outpaced Pierre Gasly in Q1 but ended up 14th.

Doohan is already under pressure from Franco Colapinto at Alpine, so the yellow flags for Lewis Hamilton’s spin would have been even more exasperating. While Hadjar was ahead, Gabriel Bortoleto was arguably the most impressive newcomer.

Bortoleto silenced Red Bull’s Helmut Marko, who rated him as a B-grade driver before the event. The F2 champion outqualified the highly-rated veteran Nico Hulkenberg as he dragged his Sauber into Q2.

Meanwhile, Mercedes announced that Kimi Antonelli had damaged his car before his Q1 exit. That mistake prevented him from showing his true pace.

While he isn’t classed as a rookie, Liam Lawson is starting his first full season. And he joined Antonelli in existing at the Q1 stage.

Mark Webber shares ‘out of breath’ concern about Liam Lawson at Red Bull

Lawson endured a scruffy Saturday at the Australian Grand Prix, having missed FP3 due to a turbo issue. He claims he was half a second up before a series of mistakes on the decisive lap.

The New Zealander locked up and slid into the grass at the final corner, prompting him to peel into the pits and concede defeat. He starts the race, the closest to his homeland on the calendar, 18th.

Lawson was ‘visibly disappointed’ before his Red Bull debut when he found out he was the only driver who had no experience on the circuit. Without that reference, he looked a little lost during qualifying.

Speaking on Channel 4’s highlights, Mark Webber agreed that he faced the toughest task in motorsport alongside Max Verstappen. The Dutchman’s last two teammates – Alex Albon and Sergio Perez – have ended up off the F1 grid altogether after losing their Red Bull seats.

Host Steve Jones said: “It’s arguably the toughest seat and teammate in world motorsport. Take Everest and then put another Everest on top of that. That’s the kind of climb Lawson’s looking at.

Ex-Red Bull driver Webber added: “Yeah, and take the oxygen mask off! He’s out of breath pretty quick. It’s going to be tough, very tough for him. Big assignment.”

Harsh jokes about Liam Lawson may have been proven right at Australian Grand Prix

Perez fans taunted Red Bull on social media following Lawson’s Q1 elimination. This was entirely predictable, even though it’s only his first session.

That’s why there’s no cause for panic at this stage. Lawson isn’t familiar with China or Miami either, so he may not show his best form until the sport returns to Europe.

During testing, one Red Bull rival made a ‘harsh’ joke about Lawson in private. They said the car looked like a world-beater when Verstappen was driving, and fourth-fastest when the youngster was at the wheel.

The reigning champion managed to qualify third, and on the evidence of Saturday, the F1 figure in question was right about Lawson’s imitations. But that’s not enough evidence to make a fully-formed judgement – that shouldn’t come until the summer break, or even Abu Dhabi.