Verstappen skips São Paulo GP qualifying Q2 amid penalties

Max Verstappen did not take part in the second session of qualifying for the São Paulo Grand Prix. Q1 was run in extreme wet conditions after an 82-minute rain delay, and Verstappen finished it third fastest in his Red Bull around Interlagos.

Verstappen faces a 30-place grid penalty for power unit component changes, and he and his team judged it prudent not to continue further. Heavy rain is forecast for Sunday's grand prix.

It is understood the decision was made to save sets of extreme wet Pirellis, which performed well in the difficult Q1 conditions.