Max Verstappen 17th on Brazilian GP grid as Lando Norris title hopes boosted

Lando Norris has the chance to take a huge chunk out of title rival Max Verstappen's championship lead after a red flag ruined Red Bull's qualifying in Sao Paulo.

Verstappen was 12th on the timesheets when Lance Stroll crashed and caused a third red flag of a soaking wet qualifying session in Q2. And, because there was less than a minute left on the clock, that was the end of the session and the Dutchman was left frustrated.

And, because he will serve a five-second grid penalty for an engine change, it means the championship leader will be 17th on the grid out of the 20 cars at the start of the Brazilian Grand Prix, and Verstappen lost his temper with the FIA race director as he reacted to his early exit.

Sergio Perez was one place below him and that meant Red Bull would no be represented in the final part of qualifying. And, to sour their moods further, Verstappen's title rival Lando Norris was safely through to Q3 and was presented with a huge chance to significantly out-score the man he is chasing.

Remarkably, given the heavy rain, it took almost 10 minutes before the session was red-flagged for the first time. Franco Colapinto's contact with the barriers was not too significant but he was still furious with himself having lost the rear of his Williams by straying off the racing line.

When it got going again, Hamilton was the one in most need of improvement having yet to set a flying lap time. And even when he did, it proved to be not enough and the seven-time F1 champion suffered another Q1 exit, having also been in the bottom five in Austin two weeks ago.

Also disappointed to have joined Hamilton in the bottom five were both Haas drivers. The American squad has been very happy with the pace of their cars since their big Austin upgrade but will have their work cut out to score points again with Nico Hulkenberg and Oliver Bearman so far down the order.

Zhou Guanyu suffered yet another Q1 exit and was the slowest driver overall for the eighth consecutive Grand Prix qualifying session. There was some good news for his Sauber team, though, as Valtteri Bottas made it safely through to Q2 and was showing good pace in the rain.

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