Max Verstappen to start from pit lane at Sao Paulo Grand Prix
9th November 2025Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is set to start the Sao Paulo Grand Prix from the pit lane after the four-time world champion suffered a disastrous qualifying session.
Feature image credit: Getty Images // Red Bull Content Pool
Verstappen is the third main championship contender, currently sitting third in the drivers’ championship, holding a total of 326 points to his name, 39 points behind McLaren’s current points leader, Lando Norris.
However, the four-time world champion suffered a poor qualifying session on Saturday afternoon after the Dutchman qualified 16th for the grand prix, enduring a painful Q1 exit, whilst his championship contenders progressed to Q3.
Ahead of the main grand prix, the FIA has now confirmed breaches within Parc Ferme, and will force Verstappen to start the race from the pit lane.
Lando Norris takes pole for Sao Paulo Grand Prix as Max Verstappen exits Q1
The FIA reported that Verstappen had taken on a new; internal combustion engine, turbocharger, motor generator unit-heat and kinetic, energy store, control electronics and a new exhaust system.
Whilst the new exhaust fitted to his car was within his allowance, his seventh of the eight allowed, the other power unit components were not. Additionally, the team made suspension changes to his car, both were without the approval of the FIA technical delegate, and it resulted in Verstappen being assigned a pit lane start.
Haas’ Esteban Ocon, also took a new power unit component and will also start from the pit lane. Jo Bauer, the FIA technical delegate, said:
“All the above listed PU elements were changed during Parc Fermé without the approval of the FIA technical delegate.
“Also changes have been made to the set-up of the suspension of car number 01 without the approval of the FIA technical delegate.
“Therefore car numbers 01 and 31 should now be required to start the Race from the pit lane according to Article 40.9 a) of the 2025 Formula One Sporting Regulations.
“I am referring these matters to the stewards for their consideration.”
It now means that those who started in 18th, 19th and 20th, Franco Colapinto, Yuki Tsunoda and Gabriel Bortoleto, respectively, will move up in respect to those now vacant positions when they head to the grid.
Read more Formula 1 here:
- Lando Norris takes pole for Sao Paulo Grand Prix as Max Verstappen exits Q1
- Lando Norris wins Sao Paulo Grand Prix sprint as Oscar Piastri crashes
- Norris seals Sao Paulo GP sprint pole as Antonelli starts second
- Norris pips Piastri in solo practice at Sao Paulo Grand Prix
- Franco Colapinto completes 2026 Alpine driver line-up
- Oliver Bearman inches away from race ban ahead of Sao Paulo Grand Prix
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Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
