Max Verstappen is facing a difficult weekend at Interlagos, describing his Red Bull RB21 as “uncontrollable,” and the Brazilian Grand Prix could mark the end of his hopes for the drivers’ championship. After his victory at last year’s Brazilian GP, Red Bull had aimed to recover ground in the 2025 drivers’ championship, particularly against the McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. However, the opening sessions of the Interlagos weekend have told a very different story.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri secured the front row, taking first and second positions, while Max Verstappen could only manage third in his group, ultimately finishing sixth in the Sprint Qualifying. Ahead of him was also Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin. Max Verstappen appeared frustrated both over the radio and in post-session interviews, explaining that he could not find confidence in his RB21. He stated that the car was “uncontrollable” and “terrible in the middle sector,” highlighting the difficulties in maintaining balance and speed.
Max Verstappen’s struggles in Friday sessions at the Brazilian GP
Even the expected heavy rain for the rest of the weekend does not seem to bring optimism. The Dutch driver has struggled to find the ideal car balance, a problem that has surprised the Red Bull engineers. In the paddock, technical director Pierre Waché confirmed the team’s challenges, describing the day as difficult. He noted that the Sprint format adds extra complexity and that the car was not performing as expected, especially on the soft tires. According to Waché, Red Bull is struggling with this particular tire compound, stating that “something is wrong, the car cannot express its full potential, and we are examining multiple aspects to determine what to change.”
Waché also clarified that the problems are not limited to Max Verstappen’s car. The issue affects both Red Bull cars, and the team is investigating thoroughly to improve performance for the rest of the weekend. He added a positive note, emphasizing that the situation provides valuable lessons in preparation for the Sprint, the main qualifying session, and the race. “We have a lot of data to analyze,” he said, pointing to the potential for improvements.
He concluded by thanking the mechanics for their rapid repair work on Yuki Tsunoda’s car, which was damaged during the first practice session. Waché highlighted the exceptional work in the garage, noting that repairing the car so quickly was not easy, and thanks to their efforts, Yuki Tsunoda was able to return to the track without delay.
For the Milton Keynes-based team, the Brazilian weekend has started on a difficult note. Max Verstappen will need a turnaround to remain competitive against the McLaren drivers. Saturday’s qualifying and the Sprint race will be decisive in determining whether Red Bull can rediscover the form and competitiveness that allowed them to dominate the championship so far.
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