Verstappen knocked out in Q2 at Japanese GP after calling car 'undriveable'

Max Verstappen's difficult start to the 2024 season took a dramatic turn for the worse as he was shockingly eliminated in Q2 at the Japanese Grand Prix, with the reigning World Champion radioing his team that the car was "completely undriveable." The qualifying failure marks a significant setback for Red Bull and raises immediate questions about the team's performance and development trajectory.

Why it matters:

For a driver and team that have dominated Formula 1 for the past two seasons, a Q2 exit is a major anomaly that signals deeper issues. This result disrupts the narrative of Red Bull's invincibility, opens the door for rivals like Ferrari and McLaren, and puts immense pressure on the team to diagnose and fix its problems quickly to prevent the championship from slipping away early in the season.

The details:

• Verstappen struggled with the balance of his RB20 throughout the practice sessions, but the issues came to a head during the crucial second phase of qualifying.
• On his final push lap in Q2, Verstappen was visibly fighting the car, reporting severe handling problems over team radio that culminated in his stark assessment of it being "undriveable."
• Grid Position: He will start Sunday's race from a lowly P11, his worst qualifying position since the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
• Teammate Contrast: The situation was highlighted by the performance of his teammate, Sergio Perez, who comfortably advanced to Q3 and will start from P6, underscoring that the car's issues may be specific to Verstappen's setup or chassis.
• Technical Focus: Early reports suggest the problems are centered on an unpredictable rear-end balance and a lack of grip, particularly through Suzuka's demanding first sector and the high-speed Esses.

The big picture:

This qualifying shocker is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern for Verstappen in 2024. While he has won two of the first three races, he has faced more competition and mechanical concerns than in the previous year. The failure in Japan, a circuit that should theoretically suit the Red Bull's strengths, indicates that the team's development may have hit a snag or that rivals have closed the gap more than anticipated. It shifts the psychological advantage slightly toward Ferrari and McLaren heading into a pivotal race.

What's next:

All eyes will be on Verstappen's recovery drive from P11 in Sunday's race and Red Bull's ability to provide him with a fix.

• The team will have a short night analyzing data to understand the root cause of the balance issues and decide on any setup changes permitted under Parc Fermé rules.
• Verstappen's race pace on high fuel during practice was stronger than his single-lap performance, suggesting a points finish is possible, but overtaking at Suzuka is notoriously difficult.
• This result will intensify the internal focus at Red Bull, potentially accelerating upgrades or strategic shifts to ensure their star driver is back in a competitive position for the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix.