Max Verstappen eliminated in Q2 at Japanese Grand Prix amid ongoing challenges for 2026
Max Verstappen’s challenging beginning to 2026 persisted as he was eliminated from Q2 during qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix by Red Bull junior driver Arvid Lindblad.
Verstappen found himself in the elimination zone at the conclusion of the session due to rookie Lindblad, who competes for Red Bull’s secondary team, Racing Bulls.
Onboard footage revealed Verstappen having difficulty managing the car at various sections of the Suzuka circuit, particularly through the Esses and again at the Spoon hairpin, which affects a driver’s speed on the lengthy approach to the 130R corner.
“I believe there’s an issue with the car, mate,” Verstappen communicated to Red Bull as he returned to the pits. “It’s entirely undriveable.”
He will begin Sunday’s race from the 11th position.
The Q2 exit marked the end of a streak of four consecutive pole positions at Suzuka — his remarkable 2025 lap, which surpassed the dominant McLaren drivers, is regarded as one of the finest of his distinguished F1 career.
Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar successfully advanced to Q3.
The four-time world champion, who narrowly lost the 2025 title to Lando Norris by two points, has faced difficulties this season.
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Two weeks prior in China, Verstappen remarked that every lap in his Red Bull felt like “survival mode.”
The Dutch driver has also expressed growing frustration with the new generation of F1 cars — he has referred to them as “anti-racing” and compared the new dependence on energy harvesting and battery boosting to gathering mushrooms in the popular racing video game Mario Kart. As for Lindblad, this performance continued his impressive start in Formula 1.
“Come on mate! That’s got to be a good one?” Lindblad inquired of his team as he crossed the finish line.
Source: espn.com
