Among those who didn’t complete a flying soft lap are Oscar Piastri, the closest title challenger; Max Verstappen, still in mathematical contention for the championship; and George Russell, last year’s winner, although the Mercedes driver did get around two-thirds of the way around the lap, including with a purple first sector.

It’s shaping up to be a big weekend for Formula 1 leader Lando Norris, and a frustrating one for four-time champion Max Verstappen. The McLaren driver widened the gap to teammate Oscar Piastri to nine points by winning the sprint race of the Brazilian Grand Prix on Saturday and followed it up by also taking pole position for Sunday’s grid.

Why Max Verstappen is starting from pit lane in Formula 1 race today originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Max Verstappen had a nightmare qualifying round. The Formula 1 superstar was eliminated from the first round of qualifying after his Red Bull car didn't deliver.

Lawson was the 11th-fastest in practice, but got things wrong in qualifying for the sprint

A cyclone warning looms over the Brazil GP as FIA prepares for heavy rain and strong winds that could disrupt the Sprint and race schedule.

Oscar Piastri has been urged to walk away from McLaren in the wake of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The Australian driver was leading the championship race for a large portion of the season before he endured a horror run of form.