Max Verstappen could not hide his frustration after a challenging run to sixth position in Friday\u2019s Sprint Qualifying session at Interlagos, a result that dented his championship bid.<\/p>\n
Verstappen arrived at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix having slashed his deficit to the top of the Drivers\u2019 standings from 104 points to 36 across five events, with the aim of further eroding that over 2025\u2019s latest Sprint weekend.<\/p>\n
However, he is on the back foot for Saturday\u2019s Sprint race after struggling to make an impression in the first grid-deciding session, where he described his Red Bull as \u201cbroken\u201d and \u201cundriveable\u201d over the radio.<\/p>\n
Asked if he took a wrong turn with the car after practice, and whether it felt significantly worse, Verstappen said: \u201cNo. A lot of vibration in the car, a lot of just ride problems. Not what we want.<\/p>\n
\u201cBesides that we just don\u2019t have the grip. The middle sector is terrible, so I just can\u2019t get the car to turn. At the same time, I can\u2019t really rely on the rears.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, just quite poor, I would say, but it is what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
With title rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri lining up first and third tomorrow, Verstappen knows he faces a tough task to limit the damage in the Sprint \u2013 even if the weather changes.<\/p>\n
In terms of anticipated rain potentially helping him, the Dutchman replied: \u201cI don\u2019t know. We\u2019ll find out, right? I think it\u2019s quite clear that we are lacking something, and I\u2019m not expecting that suddenly to be miles better in the wet. We\u2019ll see tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n