Verstappen Describes 'Broken' Red Bull RB21, Citing Major Struggles in Brazil Sprint Qualifying

Max Verstappen candidly detailed his significant struggles with the Red Bull RB21 during Sprint Qualifying in Brazil, describing the car as "broken" and "undrivable." His sixth-place finish leaves him facing an uphill battle to reduce his championship deficit.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's uncharacteristic struggles and strong complaints about his car's handling are a rare sight for the dominant champion. His performance in Sprint Qualifying directly impacts his championship aspirations, as he finished behind key rivals, potentially widening the points gap instead of narrowing it.

The details:

• Performance Gap: Verstappen's single flying lap on soft tires was 0.337 seconds slower than Lando Norris's pole-sitting time of 1:09.243. Oscar Piastri, another championship contender, secured third.
• Handling Issues: Verstappen reported severe "vibration" and "ride problems" with the RB21. He also noted a lack of overall grip, particularly struggling in the middle sector where he couldn't get the car to turn and felt unable to rely on the rear.
• Championship Context: Heading into the Sprint, Verstappen aimed to reduce a 36-point deficit. Finishing sixth means he will start behind both Mercedes drivers and Fernando Alonso, complicating his path to points.
• Team Reaction: Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies acknowledged Verstappen's frustration, stating he was "very unhappy with what the car does at the moment." Mekies also noted that the issues didn't seem to be tied to a specific tire compound, suggesting a broader problem with the car's setup for the Interlagos track.
• Weather Impact: Severe wet conditions are forecast for Saturday's Sprint race. Despite his past prowess in tricky conditions at Interlagos, Verstappen is not optimistic about a sudden performance turnaround in the wet, indicating deep-seated issues.

What's next:

Red Bull will have limited opportunities to adjust the car due to parc fermé conditions. The team will need to make strategic tweaks and analyze data to understand the underlying problems before the main Grand Prix. How Verstappen manages the challenging conditions and recovers from this setback will be crucial for his championship campaign as the season progresses.