# Max Verstappen ends F1 practice early in Brazil

> Red Bull says Max Verstappen cut F1 practice early due to car inconsistencies.
- Title: Max Verstappen ends F1 practice early in Brazil · Motorsport
- Summary: Red Bull says Max Verstappen cut F1 practice early due to car inconsistencies. Red Bull's race strategy head Hannah Schmitz says Verstappen ended F1 practice…
- Keywords: max verstappen, red bull racing, formula 1, sao paulo gp, f1 practice, hannah schmitz, race strategy, car inconsistencies, f1 grid, Motorsport
- Source: Motorsport — https://motorsport.com/f1/news/why-max-verstappen-ended-f1-practice-early-in-brazil-red-bull-explains/10872364
- Author: Ronald Vording
- Published: 2026-11-06T22:32:59+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: max verstappen, red bull racing, formula 1, sao paulo gp, f1 practice, hannah schmitz, race strategy, car inconsistencies, f1 grid, sports, cars
## Max Verstappen ends F1 practice early
Max Verstappen finished Friday's Formula 1 practice sessions in Sao Paulo in third place.
## Red Bull strategy head explains early exit
Red Bull's head of race strategy Hannah Schmitz said there were too many inconsistencies in the long-run data.
## Verstappen's radio exchange with engineer
Verstappen joked about not understanding a message from his race engineer about the power unit and gearbox.

> What does that mean? I have to speak to the engine myself? I think I should be like 'oh, clutch, I’m switching! You’ll be punished otherwise!'
## Red Bull ends practice early
Verstappen ended the second practice session early with just over six minutes remaining on the clock.
## Schmitz explains car data issues
Schmitz said they didn't feel like it was helpful anymore to stay out longer for more data.

> So it was just [because of] finding a lot of inconsistencies in the long run and we didn't feel like it was helpful anymore.
## Red Bull's grid start challenge
Red Bull's starts have not been good this year, but Verstappen gave up grid start opportunity by ending practice early.
## Schmitz on car potential
Schmitz said there's plenty of potential in the car for this weekend despite overnight changes needed.

> I think everyone agrees that there's a lot of potential within the car, but with both drivers there are things that they want to look into and change overnight.
## Weather impact on strategy
Schmitz warned that changing temperatures and rain could affect how the data translates to Sunday's race.

> Today, obviously the conditions are quite different to what's forecast for Sunday, so now we have to look at how we think that's going to translate to what happens on Sunday.
## Key takeaway

Red Bull's race strategy head Hannah Schmitz says Verstappen ended F1 practice early in Brazil due to inconsistencies in the car's long-run data.