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Verstappen says stopping after Q1 was the right call in Brazil

Conceptual AI-generated editorial motorsport illustration; not a documentary photograph or evidence that a pictured event, meeting or transfer occurred. · 2026-11-08GPBeat newsroom · News Made Clear generated illustration

With a grid penalty already expected, Verstappen and his team saw little value in continuing after Q1; he said the weather also played a part.

From the GPBeat newsroomPublished · · 1 min

Max Verstappen's qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix ended before Q2 began, although he said the laps he set in the wet Q1 were going well. With a grid penalty already expected for the race, he and his team saw little value in continuing; the weather also played a part, he said.

After qualifying, Verstappen said he believed stopping was the right choice. He had not enjoyed the session much, he added: his goals for the weekend were different, partly because of the penalty, and he was “not really fighting for anything.”

His attention had already shifted to the race, he said. In Q1, his main aim was to set a lap without taking risks.

Sources 01
  1. SOURCEVerstappen verklaart vroegtijdig einde kwalificatie GP BraziliëRacingNews365 Nederland