Verstappen to Start Brazilian GP from Pit Lane After Red Bull Breaks Parc Ferme

Max Verstappen will start the Brazilian Grand Prix from the pit lane after Red Bull made significant setup and engine changes to his RB21, violating parc ferme conditions. This drastic move comes after Verstappen's shocking P16 qualifying performance, with the team aiming to salvage their weekend. Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko had hinted at "drastic" measures to address the car's mysterious lack of pace.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's pit lane start in Brazil is a major setback for the reigning World Champion, who was already struggling after a dismal qualifying session. This decision by Red Bull underscores the severity of their performance issues and their determination to find a solution, even if it means sacrificing grid position. For Verstappen, who was a long shot for the World title, this creates an even more challenging path to scoring points and maintaining any championship hopes.

The Details:

• Qualifying Woes: Verstappen finished a surprising P16 in qualifying, failing to progress to Q2 by a mere 0.066s. He described the car as "all over the place" and admitted he "couldn't push, at all."
• Team Confusion: Both Verstappen and Red Bull admitted they were mystified by the car's sudden lack of pace, which was also evident with Yuki Tsunoda qualifying 19th.
• Parc Ferme Breach: Following qualifying, Red Bull broke parc ferme conditions to make substantial changes to Verstappen's car. This is a common tactic when a team believes their current setup is unworkable for the race.
• Engine Change: In addition to setup adjustments, Red Bull also fitted Verstappen's RB21 with a brand new power unit. This includes changes to the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), Turbocharger (TC), Motor Generator Unit-Heat (MGU-H), Motor Generator Unit-Kinetic (MGU-K), Energy Store (ES), and Control Electronics (CE).
• FIA Confirmation: The FIA confirmed that both the suspension setup changes and the power unit component replacements were made without the approval of the FIA Technical Delegate. This violation of Article 40.9 a) of the 2025 Formula One Sporting Regulations mandates a pit lane start.

What's next:

Starting from the pit lane at Interlagos presents a formidable challenge for Verstappen, known for his aggressive driving and ability to climb through the field. While the changes made to his RB21 are intended to improve performance, the true impact will only be seen during the race. His performance from the back of the grid will be a crucial test of both his skill and the effectiveness of Red Bull's radical adjustments. The team will be hoping these "drastic" measures pay off, allowing Verstappen to salvage some points from a weekend that has, so far, gone drastically wrong.