Marko: 'The damage is done' after Verstappen Qualifies P16 in Brazil

Red Bull is reeling after a disastrous qualifying session at the São Paulo Grand Prix, which saw Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda both knocked out in Q1. This unexpected performance slump has prompted an urgent team meeting to address the car's issues ahead of the race.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's qualifying blunder at Interlagos is a significant blow to their championship aspirations and raises questions about the effectiveness of recent car upgrades. For a team that has consistently been at the front of the grid, a Q1 exit for both cars, especially for a championship contender like Verstappen, signals deeper underlying issues that need immediate resolution.

The details:

• Unexpected Performance Loss: Helmut Marko confirmed to Sky Germany that Red Bull's car experienced a performance loss across all sectors, stating, "We have slowed down everywhere, lost time in all sectors." He described the situation as having "gone badly wrong" and concluded, "The damage has been done. It doesn't look good."
• New Floor Underperforming: The team's new floor, introduced at the Mexico Grand Prix and used again in Brazil, "has not brought the hoped-for success." This suggests the upgrade might be hindering rather than helping the car's overall performance.
• Verstappen's Struggles: Max Verstappen had been vocal throughout the weekend about his Red Bull car not being up to the task of contending for the title. Despite salvaging a P4 in the Sprint, he could not advance beyond P16 in qualifying for the São Paulo Grand Prix.
• Team Meeting Confirmed: Marko confirmed that Red Bull would hold a pre-race meeting to strategize and "see what we do with this situation" to try and turn their fortunes around.

The big picture:

This qualifying result is a major setback for Red Bull, particularly for Verstappen's title comeback bid. The struggle to adapt to the new floor and the car's overall lack of pace indicate a potential design flaw or setup issue that the team needs to urgently resolve. This unexpected dip in performance could significantly impact their standing in a tightly contested championship.

What's next:

The urgent team meeting before the race will be crucial for Red Bull to identify and address the root causes of their performance issues. Their ability to make immediate adjustments and adapt their strategy for the main race will determine if they can salvage any points from a weekend that has, so far, gone drastically wrong.