"Well done FIA" - Max Verstappen's partner Kelly Piquet blasts governing body after the driver's disastrous show in F1 Brazilian GP qualifying

Max Verstappen's partner Kelly Piquet has joined the ranks of those criticizing the FIA after what some see as a delayed response in Q2. The red flag cost the Red Bull driver his final flying lap run and as a result, Verstappen was out in Q2 in P12. He will start the race from P17 after a 5-place grid penalty for an engine change.

Verstappen's day could not have gone worse as the Red Bull star failed to get out of the second qualifying session on Sunday. Lance Stroll's crash in Q2 saw the FIA red flag the session, and there was little time to resume the session.

The red flag also cost Sergio Perez his final flying lap run in Q2. Besides Verstappen and Perez, Valtteri Bottas, Carlos Sainz, and Pierre Gasly were out of the session on Sunday's rain-drenched qualifying.

Following the end of Qualifying, Kelly Piquet took to Instagram to share her views. She shared the F1 account's post announcing Verstappen's exit from Q2, adding

"Waiting for 40 seconds to put out the red flag. Well done FIA."

Screenshot of Kelly Piquet's Instgram story. Credit: instagram.com/kellypiquet

Verstappen and Perez were unable to start their last flying laps before the red flag was waived. As a result, they failed to make it to Q3.

The FIA also came under the scanner following the Virtual Safety Car deployment on Saturday. The timing of the VSC during the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix Sprint was criticized by some fans.

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Max Verstappen furious following delayed red flag

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on during the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil - Qualifying - Source: Getty Images

Following the conclusion of the qualifying session on Sunday, Max Verstappen criticized the FIA's deployment of the red flag. Speaking to the media, the Dutchman termed the timing "unbelievable." He said,

"The red flag, the car of course, had flown into the wall there. It was very clear it was over for the Aston Martin. and then they still waited 30-40 seconds for a red flag. So all the other cars got to do a lap, and we have no lap. I don’t understand it. It’s unbelievable."

Lando Norris took pole for the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, ahead of Mercedes' George Russell, and RB's Yuki Tsunoda. The FIA had postponed the qualifying from Saturday to Sunday after torrential rain hindered progress at Interlagos.