Max Verstappen’s world championship hopes have suffered a major blow after he was eliminated in Q2 for Formula 1’s Brazilian Grand Prix. It means he will start 17th.
The Red Bull driver was already heading into the Sao Paulo weekend knowing he had a five-place grid penalty, as his battle with title rival Lando Norris intensified.
But with Sunday morning’s wet conditions looking like they could have offered him an opportunity to pull off a surprise against Norris, it all went wrong in the closing stages of the second qualifying segment.
Verstappen had failed to improve as the track conditions steadily got better through the final minutes and, after slipping down to 12th, he was caught out by a crash involving Lance Stroll as he attempted a final effort to get through.
With the yellow flags out as Verstappen passed the stricken Aston Martin at Turn 3, he had to back off – and he knew there would be no other attempt to make it through after the red flag was eventually brought out.
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Aware of the implications of the stoppage, Verstappen gesticulated in the cockpit and expressed his frustration over the team radio as he knew that the session would not be restarted.
His Q2 exit marked a double blow for Red Bull, with his team-mate Sergio Perez also failing to make it through to Q3 after he ended up 13th.
With his five-place grid drop for a fresh engine, Verstappen will now line up 17th on the grid.
Perez will consequently move up one place and take the start from 12th.
(More to follow)
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