Why Max Verstappen is staring from pit-lane in F1 Sao Paulo GP 2025?

Max Verstappen is set to start Sunday’s Formula one Sao Paulo Grand Prix 2025 from the pit-lane with a fresh engine and a completely new set-up to his Red Bull at Interlagos.

The four-time world champion qualified 16th on Saturday, the first time he had failed to progress through Q1 on merit in his career.

He goes into the race 39 points off championship leader and race pole-sitter Lando Norris.

Why Max Verstappen is staring from pit lane in F1 Brazilian GP 2025?

Verstappen’s Red Bull was seen in pieces in the garage on Saturday evening as the team fitted a new engine and fitted a different floor to his car. The team has reverted to the floor used in Austin, where Verstappen won the grand prix.

Because the team effectively made a wholesale set-up change to the car outside F1’s parc fermé regulations, the car is required to start from the pit-lane.

What is the meaning of starting from pit-lane?

Verstappen will not take part in the formation lap nor line up on the grid, and his pit-lane start adds an immediate time disadvantage as he cannot leave the pits until the last car in the field has passed by a certain point.

A green light will come on at pit exit when he is allowed to leave.

However, that time loss is mitigated by the fact he will avoid any messy incidents on Turn 1 or the opening lap at a circuit known for dramatic racing moments, and of course for the fact he has effectively hit reset on a car which he struggled with all weekend, as well as having the power boost of a fresh engine.

What is the best-ever finish in F1 grand prix from a pit-lane?

The best-ever finish in an F1 grand prix from a pit-lane is P3. It was achieved by Sebastian Vettel in Abu Dhabi in 2012, then again by Lewis Hamilton in Hungary in 2014.

Published on Nov 09, 2025