Max Verstappen’s blunt verdict on Brazil GP sprint pace: "In no man's land"

Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has claimed he was in "no man's land" during the Brazil Grand Prix sprint race.

The Dutchman crossed the line in fourth after starting from sixth, but was 4.423 seconds behind race winner Lando Norris.

"We will make some changes and hopefully that will bring the car in a better window," Verstappen explained to the media after the race. "Hopefully that will allow us to push a bit better on the tyres, then we will see what happens.

"Like this, you're in no man's land. I can't really stay with the guys ahead. I want to. If we can find a bit more, maybe I can fight with Mercedes."

The focus now moves on to the grand prix qualifying, which is just a few hours away.

Heading into the race weekend, the Red Bull driver was third in the drivers' championship, 36 points behind leader Norris and 35 points behind Oscar Piastri in second. Now, after the latter crashed out of the sprint race, Verstappen has closed the gap to Piastri to 30 points, while Norris has extended his lead to 39 points over Verstappen and nine points over his McLaren team-mate.

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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Lars Baron / LAT Images via Getty Images

Verstappen wasn't particularly happy during sprint qualifying yesterday with vibration and ride problems.

"A lot of vibration in the car, a lot of just ride problems," he explained after sprint qualifying. "So, yeah, not what we want. But I mean, besides that, I think also we just don't have the grip.

"The middle sector is terrible, so just can't get the car to turn. But at the same time, also, I can't really rely on the rear. So, yeah, for us, just quite poor, I would say. Yeah, that's what it is."

Qualifying for the Brazil Grand Prix is set to take place at 3pm local time (6pm UK time).

Photos from Sao Paulo GP - Sprint Race

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