Stoddart Rues Verstappen's Driving Error

Dutchman Jos Verstappen caused Saturday's qualifying session for Sunday's San Marino Grand Prix to be stopped after just one full one-lap run when he crashed heavily during his flying lap.

Verstappen, who was on course to set his best time of the weekend, lost control on turn 12, which had caused problems for several drivers during the Saturday practice sessions. His Minardi car clattered into the tyre barriers and team chief Paul Stoddart rued the missed opportunity as he claimed Verstappen was on a "mega lap."

"It was a mega lap up to that time but he just lost it," Stoddart told ITV. "It looks like driver error but we don't know until we talk to him. We just fitted the new engine but it didn't sound that great, so it is hard to say what happened.

"He was on a mega first two splits so it is a shame it happened on that lap - it was the best he had done this weekend."

Verstappen's teammate Justin Wilson was the only Minardi driver to set a time after being the first man out on the circuit and he admitted the track was slippery after an earlier rain shower.

"It was very difficult conditions," said Wilson. "The track got slippery in the warm-up and my car was slipping around. Jos probably got caught out by that because as you come onto the new tarmac you suddenly lose the grip."

The stoppage marked the first time that one of the new one-lap grid-deciding qualifying sessions has been interrupted after the introduction of the new regulations this season.