'Not much left': Mick Schumacher's horror crash stuns F1 fans

Formula One fans held their breath during qualifying for the Saudi Arabian GP after Haas driver Mick Schumacher suffered an awful high-speed crash which resulted in him being taken to hospital.

It was a slightly chaotic qualifying session during what has already proven to be a tense grand prix weekend, after an nearby oil depot belonging to major sponsor Aramco was attacked by Yemen's Houthis rebels.

'OUR MISTAKE': Red Bull comes clean about Max Verstappen drama

YIKES: Brutal twist for Russian billionaire as Kevin Magnussen stuns F1

Despite some reservations from drivers it was decided to push on with the race, however Haas has announced Shumacher will not take part on the race due to the terrifying 275km/h impact with the concrete wall.

The Jeddah street circuit is an uncompromsing track, largely surrounded by concrete walls with very few run-off areas.

On a hot lap hoping to get through to Q3, Schumacher took too much of the kerbing which speared his Haas into the wall.

Two tyres were completely ripped off the car in the impact, which was also enough to cause some serious structural damage to the car, which separated in the middle as it was later lifted onto a truck.

Schumacher had to be lifted out of the car, but was conscious and seen smiling before being taken to hospital.

Haas team principal announced Schumacher would not line up on the grid for the race, given there was a chance he would need to remain in hospital an extra night for observation, in addition to the completely wrecked car.

"The best thing is that Mick has apparently no injuries, he's in the hospital right now and being evaluated by the doctors, so he is in good hands at the moment," Steiner said in a team statement.

"There is a possibility that he'll have to stay for observation overnight at the hospital. Based on these facts and where we are, we have decided not to field his car tomorrow."

F1 world shocked by horrifying Mick Schumacher crash

After a turbulent start to the season, a points finish in round one was just what Haas needed to start their season on a high note.

Schumacher's crash has brought the American team back to earth, with Steiner acknowledging Schumacher would be better off turning his attention to the upcoming Australian GP.

Fans were horrified by the impact Schumacher suffered, taking to Twitter to send support to the son of seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher.

In a stunning turn of events, Red Bull's Sergio Perez took the first pole position of his 215-race F1 career, with Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz behind.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was knocked out of Q1 for the first time since 2009, an incredible result which will leave him with it all to do on Sunday.

A disconsolate Hamilton - nearly seven tenths slower than George Russell in the other Mercedes, who ended up qualifying sixth - told his team: "I am so sorry, guys."

Hamilton and his Mercedes team have struggled to get on top of the sport's new regulations, but nobody here would have predicted the grid's most decorated driver would fall at the first hurdle.

Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo will start from 11th and 12th respectively.

The running was delayed for 57 minutes as the barriers were repaired and the debris from Schumacher's accident cleared.

A day on from a missile strike on an oil refinery 12 miles east of the track, the drivers - some of whom signalled their intention not to take part in Sunday's race during an extraordinary four-hour meeting on Friday night - were back on track.

With AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.