Sun Nov 03 12:43:12 UTC 2024: ## Verstappen to Start Brazilian Grand Prix From 17th After Qualifying Chaos

Sao Paulo, Brazil – Max Verstappen’s hopes of closing the gap in the Formula One Drivers’ Championship took a hit on Sunday as he qualified 17th for the Brazilian Grand Prix. Rain and a series of red flags disrupted the qualifying session, forcing Verstappen to start from the back of the pack after failing to advance to the final round.

Adding to the Dutchman’s woes, he will also face a five-place grid penalty for exceeding the maximum engine change allowance this season. His teammate, Sergio Perez, also struggled in the rain, qualifying 13th.

The qualifying session was marred by two red flags caused by crashes from Lance Stroll and Williams driver Franco Colapinto. The second red flag forced the cancellation of the second leg of qualifying, with Verstappen in 12th position at the time.

The unpredictable weather also prompted organizers to bring forward the start of the Grand Prix from 2 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. local time.

Despite the challenges, the championship lead remains with McLaren’s Lando Norris, who has a 44-point advantage over Verstappen with four races remaining. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc also remains a mathematical contender for the title.

Organizers are yet to confirm whether a tribute to legendary Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna will go ahead on Sunday. The late driver’s title-winning McLaren was scheduled to be driven by Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, a big fan of Senna.

With the race now set to be a battle from the back of the grid, Verstappen faces a difficult task in trying to close the points gap and keep his championship hopes alive.

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