Helmut Marko confirmed that Red Bull will hold a pre-race meeting to try and turn the team’s “situation” around after both Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda were knocked out in Q1 at the São Paulo Grand Prix.

Speaking to Sky Germany, Marko said things had “gone badly wrong.” The 82-year-old Austrian explained that the RB21’s performance loss was visible throughout the lap: “We have slowed down everywhere, lost time in all sectors. The damage has been done. It doesn’t look good.”

The team’s new floor, introduced in Mexico and used again in Interlagos, “has not brought the hoped-for success.” Marko concluded: “We have to see what we do with this situation,” confirming discussions before the race.

Max Verstappen was eliminated in the first round of qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix. The reigning world champion had complained all weekend that his Red Bull car was not being up to the task of posing themselves as realistic contenders for the title.

Despite salvaging a P4 in the Sprint, Verstappen could not bring his RB21 over the line higher than P16 in qualifying for the São Paulo Grand Prix. With Verstappen eliminated in Q1, his chances of fulfilling his title comeback bid have taken a heavy blow.

The Dutchman now sits 39 points behind Lando Norris in the championship standings.

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