Overview
- Max Verstappen qualified 16th on pure pace in São Paulo, a first such Q1 elimination of his career and Red Bull’s first double Q1 exit since 2006.
- Team principal Laurent Mekies said bold setup changes went the wrong way, and Helmut Marko confirmed the team is considering radical fixes that would trigger a pit‑lane start and allow power‑unit or floor swaps.
- Verstappen reported severe lack of grip, said the RB21 was undriveable on the limit, and stated the championship is effectively over for him after the Brazil setbacks.
- Lando Norris won the Sprint to extend his title lead, while Oscar Piastri crashed in damp conditions at Turn 3, causing a red flag and retiring on the spot.
- Drivers across teams highlighted unpredictable tyre operating windows that scrambled form, with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell describing a baffling qualifying and Pierre Gasly puzzling over Alpine’s unexpected pace.