Verstappen is red-flagged after a shocking exit from Q2 of the Formula 1 GP in Brazil

Max Verstappen criticized the delay in raising the red flag for Lance Stroll's accident after his own surprise exit from Q2 at the F1 Brazilian Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver's World Championship hopes suffered a major setback on Sunday morning when he was eliminated in the second qualifying session at Interlagos. This means he will start 17th.

He was already aware before the Sao Paulo weekend that he had a grid position shift of five places, while his battle with title rival Lando Norris intensified.

But with the wet conditions in qualifying on Sunday morning looking like they might have given him a chance for an upset against Norris, everything went wrong in the closing stages of the second qualifying segment.

Verstappen had failed to improve as track conditions steadily improved in the final minutes, and after falling to 12th, he was caught in an accident involving Lance Stroll as he made a last-ditch effort Try trying to get through.

When Verstappen overtook the stricken Aston Martin at Turn 3 and the yellow flags showed, he was forced to back off – and he knew there would be no further attempt to get through after the red flag was finally raised.

Aware of the impact of the disruption, Verstappen gestured in the cockpit and expressed frustration over the team radio, knowing the session would not resume.

Speaking to Sky after the session, a visibly upset Verstappen said he did not understand why there was a delay in breaking up the session.

“If a guy goes straight into the wall, it’s a straight red,” he said. “I don’t understand why it takes 30, 40 seconds for a red flag to appear…”

When it was suggested to him that some drivers should be given the opportunity to finish their laps, he replied: “Honestly I don't care, it's so stupid to talk about it. It’s ridiculous.”

Verstappen's exit from Q2 was a double blow for Red Bull as his teammate Sergio Perez also failed to make it to Q3 after finishing in 13th place.

Since Verstappen fell five places on the grid due to a new engine, he will now end up in 17th place on the grid.

Photos from the GP qualifying in Brazil