Verstappen set for pitlane start at F1 Brazil GP
Max Verstappen will start the Interlagos race from the pitlane after being eliminated in Q1
Max Verstappen will start Formula 1’s 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix from the pitlane, following his poor qualifying result, Autosport understands.
Verstappen was shockingly eliminated in Q1 in an unusually poor display from the four-time world champion and his Red Bull team. The latter failed to reach Q2 with any cars for the first time since the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix, with Yuki Tsunoda down in 19th.
Having qualified 16th, Verstappen lamented a lack of adhesion that Red Bull can’t come to grips with; the RB21 was especially slow in the downforce-demanding middle sector.
“It's just no grip,” the Dutchman said. “Changed a few things on the car and it didn't work, so that's something that we need to figure out.
“Nothing really seems to work. We change a lot on the car and, yeah, we just don't understand.
“Something is clearly just not working for us. Even with the changes on the set-up, normally you would feel some kind of reaction, but it doesn't. So, yeah, something is just really off.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Verstappen went as far as switching back to the old floor for qualifying, which was unsuccessful, and will now start the main race from the pitlane as Red Bull makes further tweaks in a bid to alleviate its lack of performance.
Red Bull will use this opportunity to try out a new suspension set-up and fit Verstappen’s car with a full new power unit, bringing his tallies of powertrain components beyond the allowed allocation.
The parc ferme breach means Verstappen will start the race from the pitlane – a lesser consequence for the benefit of a new engine.
A downcast Verstappen said he ‘can forget about the title’ after his early qualifying exit on Saturday, but the decision still aims at salvaging his championship hopes, with his deficit to standings leader Lando Norris up to 39 points following the McLaren driver’s sprint win.
Norris will start the Interlagos race from pole position, while Tsunoda is promoted to 18th on the grid by his team-mate’s pitlane start.
Additional reporting by Ronald Vording and Isa Fernandes
Share Or Save This Story
Top Comments
Strategy Corner: Why one F1 tyre compound is out of play for Brazil GP
McLaren explains why Piastri has been struggling at F1 Brazil GP
How Ferdinand Habsburg turned a crash injury into a "blessing"
"We don't think it was winnable": Explaining Verstappen's final Brazil GP stop
Verstappen "can forget" about F1 2025 title after Brazil GP Q1 exit
Why Hamilton's Mexico GP penalty left a sour taste
Tsunoda baffled by Q1 exit in F1 Brazil GP sprint
Verstappen details "rubbish" F1 Brazil GP sprint qualifying
How the F1 title race became even tighter after Norris dominated in Mexico
Bulega overcomes Superbike instincts to score on MotoGP debut, eyes 2027 chances
James Allen: Norris controls the uncontrollable, as two F1 rookies also shine
Espargaro slams 'too aggressive' Morbidelli after Portuguese GP crash
Why "risk" was key to transforming Verstappen's Brazil GP
Why Norris is right to be worried about Verstappen's Brazil GP turnaround
How Norris breezed through a stormy Brazil GP despite Verstappen's stunning surge
What we learned from the 2025 F1 Brazil GP sprint race and qualifying
Which F1 driver should compete in another category and where?
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
