The Red Bull driver had a day to forget on Saturday but will be hoping to rectify things on Sunday

Max Verstappen endured one of the most difficult qualifying sessions of his Formula One career at Interlagos, prompting visible frustration within the Red Bull garage as his father, Jos Verstappen, was seen leaving immediately after the Dutch driver was eliminated in Q1.

Verstappen, 28, will begin Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix in 16th place after struggling for grip and control throughout the session, a result that threatens to derail his championship challenge.

The unexpected exit marked Verstappen’s first Q1 elimination since the 2021 Russian Grand Prix.

The reigning world champion appeared unsettled from the beginning of the session, reporting instability in the car and an inability to build confidence through the twisting sections of the circuit.

Television cameras captured his father departing the Red Bull garage moments after the result was confirmed, an image that circulated rapidly across social media.

Fans expressed shock and disbelief not only at Verstappen’s qualifying position but also at the response from within his own camp.

One supporter remarked online: “Jos Verstappen storming out the garage because his son had a bad day at work…”

Max Verstappen endured one of the most difficult qualifying sessions of his Formula One career at Interlagos, prompting visible frustration within the Red Bull garage as his father, Jos Verstappen, was seen leaving immediately after the Dutch driver was eliminated in Q1| X

F1 facts fans might not know | GETTY/GBNEWS

Another added: “This is the worst Red Bull of the decade.”

A third comment captured the stunned reaction across the paddock and among spectators: “Did not have that on the bingo card. Verstappen out in Q1.”

For many, the moment underscored the intensity of pressure surrounding one of modern motorsport’s defining families.

Max Verstappen is hoping to win the F1 title for the fifth year in a row| GETTY/GBNEWS

Max Verstappen cut a frustrated figure as his hopes of Brazilian Grand Prix success suffered a blow| REUTERS

The top of the grid offered a very different storyline. Lando Norris secured pole position with a commanding performance, while Kimi Antonelli produced a standout lap to secure second.

Charles Leclerc will start third, having been edged down following a late improvement from Antonelli.

Oscar Piastri lines up fourth, narrowly missing out on the front row, as he battles to keep his title hopes alive.

The remaining top 10 will feature Isack Hadjar, George Russell, Liam Lawson, Oliver Bearman, Pierre Gasly and Nico Hulkenberg, giving the race a strikingly unfamiliar look.

Fernando Alonso begins in 11th, with Alexander Albon in 12th.

Sir Lewis Hamilton continues to search for pace in a season marked by inconsistency and sits 13th on the grid after expressing frustration about being unable to generate sufficient temperature in his rear tyres during Q2.

Lando Norris secured pole at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Saturday| GETTY

Lance Stroll, Carlos Sainz, Verstappen, Esteban Ocon, Franco Colapinto, Yuki Tsunoda and Gabriel Bortoleto complete the starting order.

Despite the setback, Verstappen has demonstrated his ability to recover from deep in the field at Interlagos before.

Last season he began 17th in heavy rain and went on to take victory, a reminder that unpredictable weather and strategic opportunity can transform the race entirely. However, the driver himself did not disguise his concern over the car’s behaviour.

He said: “It was just bad. I couldn’t push at all. The car was all over the place, sliding around a lot.

“I had to under drive it a lot just to not have a moment. That of course doesn’t work in qualifying.

“We first have to analyse what is going on. I don’t really understand how it can be this bad, so that’s more important for us to understand at the moment.”