Red Bull Considers Drastic Changes for Max Verstappen After Shock Brazilian GP Qualifying

Max Verstappen faces another potential setback at the Brazilian Grand Prix, as Red Bull considers making “drastic” changes to the RB21 following a disastrous qualifying session.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's unexpected lack of pace and subsequent Q1 elimination for Verstappen in Brazil could severely jeopardize his pursuit of a fifth consecutive Drivers' Championship. The team's decision on whether to overhaul the car's setup and incur a pit-lane start highlights the critical pressure they face to regain competitiveness and avoid a significant blow to their championship aspirations.

The Details:

• Shock Q1 Exit: Verstappen failed to progress beyond Q1 at Interlagos due to a pure lack of pace, a rare and alarming occurrence for the championship leader. Teammate Yuki Tsunoda also missed the Q2 cut, marking a disastrous qualifying for Red Bull.
• Parc Ferme Dilemma: The cars were out of parc ferme conditions between the Sprint and qualifying, allowing Red Bull to make changes. However, these adjustments seemingly took the team "the wrong way," leading to a significant performance drop.
• Team Meeting Called: Senior advisor Helmut Marko has called an urgent team meeting to determine the best course of action. The key decision is whether to make further "drastic" changes to the RB21's setup for the race.
• Potential Pit-Lane Start: Should Red Bull opt for a setup overhaul, it would breach parc ferme regulations, forcing Verstappen to start the Grand Prix from the pit lane instead of his current 16th grid position.
• Performance Regression: Marko noted that Red Bull "slowed down everywhere," losing time in all sectors despite the track getting faster for others. He admitted the team "took the wrong turn" and needs to understand why their performance declined so sharply.
• Recent Momentum Dented: Verstappen had been on a strong run of six consecutive podium finishes, including three wins. However, momentum was dented in Mexico, where only a masterful one-stop strategy secured a podium finish, in a race largely dominated by Lando Norris.
• Mexico's Lingering Issues: New parts brought to Mexico did not deliver the hoped-for success, which, according to Marko, contributed to the team's current struggles. "We have to look at where we took the wrong turn," he stated, emphasizing the unexpected performance gap.
• "Painful" Risk: Team boss Laurent Mekies acknowledged that Red Bull took a "bold approach" with the RB21 for Brazilian qualifying, admitting they paid a "painful" price for taking risks that did not pay off. He added it's a learning opportunity for the team.

What's Next:

Red Bull faces a crucial decision that will define Verstappen's Brazilian Grand Prix. Their choice to either stick with the current struggling setup or opt for a pit-lane start will heavily influence the championship battle. Resolving the underlying performance issues is paramount for Red Bull to regain their dominant form and support Verstappen's title charge as the season progresses.