Max Verstappen reacts to getting eliminated in Q1 in the F1 Brazilian GP Qualifying

Max Verstappen shared a frustrated reaction after getting eliminated in Q1 during qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix on Saturday, claiming that he could not feel any grip in his Red Bull. The reigning world champion will now start Sunday's race from P16, in what looks to be an underwhelming RB21 at Interlagos.

Verstappen is in a title race with the McLaren drivers in the final phase of the 2025 season. The Red Bull driver came into the Brazilian GP just 36 points behind championship leader Lando Norris.

However, the weekend at Interlagos has not gone as he would have liked, as Verstappen has struggled to find the grip and balance in his RB21 throughout the weekend. Now, the 4x world champion has also been knocked out in Q1 during qualifying for the race, and will start from P16.

After his final run in Q1, Verstappen came over the team radio to share his frustrated reaction, as he said:

"Yeah I have no grip, zero. Brilliant.”

Verstappen's hopes of making a sensational comeback and winning a fifth drivers' title in 2025 are now looking bleak. The Dutchman will now start the race from P16 and could struggle to make his way through the field as the RB21 did not look competitive enough at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace.

The 28-year-old won last year's edition of the race even after starting from P17. But that legendary drive from Verstappen came in interchangeable conditions, while this year's race is largely expected to stay dry, making it harder to pass on track.

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Laurent Mekies reflects on Max Verstappen's Q1 exit in Brazilian GP Qualifying

Max Verstappen and Laurent Mekies during the Brazilian GP weekend - Source: Getty

Red Bull Racing team principal and CEO Laurent Mekies reflected on Max Verstappen's Q1 exit during qualifying for the Brazilian GP, explaining that the changes they made before the session had a disastrous effect on the RB21. The Frenchman also explained that the team has been unhappy with the car throughout the race weekend.

Right after the Q1 session, Mekies came over to talk to the Sky Sports commentary team about Red Bull's disappointing outing.

"We have been unhappy with the car since pretty much when we got here. We sturggled through the practice session, Sprint Qualifying and the Sprint. But nonetheless, we were at a point where we could not fight for the win, but we could fight with the group just behind (McLaren)," said Mekies. "It's fair to say we took a few risks before qualifying to see if we could put the car in a better place, and it obviously went the exact opposite direction," he added.

Max Verstappen's teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, was also knocked out in Q1 and will start Sunday's race from P19. This rounds off a disastrous qualifying session for the Milton Keynes-based outfit, which currently sits fourth in the Constructors' standings.

Edited by Hitesh Nigam