Verstappen to start São Paulo GP from pitlane as Red Bull resets

©RedBull

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Max Verstappen will start Sunday’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix from the pitlane, after Red Bull decided to pull his car from parc fermé conditions.

The move comes in response to a disastrous qualifying, where Verstappen was eliminated in Q1, while teammate Yuki Tsunoda qualified 19th.

Verstappen’s RB21 struggled throughout Saturday’s grid defining session, particularly in the downforce-heavy middle sector, leaving the Dutchman frustrated with the lack of performance.

“It's just no grip,” Verstappen said. “Nothing really seems to work. We changed 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.”

Even switching back to the old floor setup failed to solve the problem, forcing Red Bull to take the drastic step of removing the car from parc fermé.

Pitlane Start Offers Chance to Reset

The parc fermé breach allows Red Bull to implement further adjustments and fit new power unit components, likely including a fresh engine, though it will exceed the season allocation.

©RedBull

The consequence: a pitlane start, a significant setback for Verstappen but a calculated gamble to try to salvage his championship hopes.

Currently 39 points behind Lando Norris, Verstappen admitted after qualifying that he “can forget about the title,” but Red Bull’s intervention aims to give him a fighting chance over the 71-lap Interlagos race.

At Interlagos, a pitlane start may be the only path for Verstappen to regain competitiveness in a weekend that has already gone from bad to worse.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.