Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has been demoted to P4 despite finishing P3 at the Brazilian GP Sprint race. Verstappen received a five-second penalty after the Sprint for not obeying FIA’s rules under the virtual safety car. Max Verstappen has been central to widespread criticism and scrutiny over the past few races.

The 27-year-old is known to have an aggressive approach to racing, which is sometimes ineffective for him. He received a 20-second time penalty last weekend at Mexico as well for obstructing Lando Norris. However, fans have protested for the Dutchman after his reprimand at the Interlagos Sprint.

Verstappen appeared to gain an advantage over Lando Norris as the safety car was about to end. This goes against the rules of a restart after a safety car for which he was punished. maFIA strikes again, just for mclearen 💀— MadMaik (@Maik_Busse) November 2, 2024They want drivers to comply with the VSC rules.

— Kokomo Kid (@KokomoKid1) November 2, 2024 They literally waited with the VSC until Norris and Piastri had swapped, and then afterwards, they literally ended the VSC right after the last DRS-corner? ! This is insane.

They’re rigging it like never before. — Michael van der Galien (@MichaelvdGalien) November 2, 2024 WTF do they want? The FIA are thieves DALEEEEE 😡😡😡 pic.

twitter. com/mbHJU4jQ5t— Max Argento 🇦🇷 (@MaxArgento33) November 2, 2024 Robbed— hedgedog (@hedgedog5) November 2, 2024 Tough luck for Max—penalty drops him to P4! — IK MUZAMIL (@shahid21196) November 2, 2024 Fans feel that the FIA has been favoring McLaren over the others in the past few races.

Discussions continue as to whether or not the Dutchman should have been penalized for his move at Interlagos. RELATED(Video) “Don’t know what I won! ” F1 reporter mistakenly congratulates Oscar Piastri for Interlagos Sprint win instead of Lando NorrisChristian Horner pleased with Red Bull despite Max Verstappen’s five-second penaltyRed Bull team principal Christian Horner had less hopes for his team heading into the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend.

The Milton-Keynes-based team has struggled with issues on tracks with greater kerbs and bumps throughout the season. Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko and Christian Horner (via IMAGO)I think the most encouraging thing in that race for us was the race pace. [It] was, you know, decent to stick on the tail for 24 laps, [to] pass Charles.

You know, that was encouraging. Christian Horner said after the sprint race via pitdebriefChristian Horner was pleased with the RB20’s pace after dismal performances in practice and sprint qualifying of the Brazil GP. The 50-year-old has now rekindled his hopes that Max Verstappen could fight back from a five-place grid penalty in the race.

RELATEDLewis Hamilton all-set to drive F1 legend Ayrton Senna’s 1990 title-winning car at Brazilian GPVerstappen has now set his eyes on the qualifying session for the main race. He faces tough challenges from the likes of Ferrari and McLaren. The three-time world champion will hence look to qualify the fastest out of all to minimize the deficits of his grid penalty at the Brazilian Grand Prix.