MAX VERSTAPPEN has launched an X-rated rant after a late red flag call saw him knocked of qualifying early in Brazil.
The three-time champ finished a disappointing 12th as the heavy rain of Sao Paulo saw FIVE crashes at Interlagos – which is a qualifying record.
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Lance Stroll slid into a wall as he attempted a turn during Q2 and a third red flag was shown, albeit after a long 40 second delay.
FIA race director Niels Wittich attempted to let those doing a flying lap finish their laps.
But during that time Verstappen was bumped into the bottom five and was unable to get another lap in because the session was not resumed, with team-mate Sergio Perez also eliminated in 13th for the same reason.
It meant the Dutchman finished 12th, two places behind the top 10 who qualify to make it through to Q3.
The reigning F1 world champion and 2024 leader thumped his wheel in anger as his title hopes took a potential dent.
Unhappy with Wittich’s call, Verstappen launched into a foul-mouthed rant on the radio to voice his discontent.
He raged: “A car hits the wall and it needs to be straight red flag.
“I do not understand why it needs to take 30 or 40 seconds for a red flag to come out, it is just bulls****.
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“Honestly, I will let it go. It is so stupid anyway to talk about, it is ridiculous.”
To make matters worse for Verstappen, he will serve a five-place grid penalty after changing his engine for a sixth time this season, to begin in 17th in the Grand Prix.
Meanwhile, title rival Lando Norris, who is 47 points behind before today’s race, will start at the front after he took pole position.
A win will see Norris close the gap on Verstappen, who hasn’t won since June, with four races remaining.
The red flag was the third of a hectic session after Carlos Sainz also suffered a crash earlier in Q2.
Mercedes’s George Russell makes up the front row and RB’s Yuki Tsunoda finished in a shock third from Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, and Liam Lawson was fifth.
Lewis Hamilton was surprisingly eliminated in Q1.
But there were big crashes for Williams’ Franco Colapinto, Ferrari’s Sainz, Aston Martin pair Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso.
And Alex Albon, who had the worst collision of all, will not start the race due to damage.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
The fifth red flag equalled the qualifying record from the chaotic scenes at Imola in 2022.
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