What happened: Red Bull's Max Verstappen was disqualified from sprint qualifying at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix after his car's skid block showed excessive wear beyond FIA limits. He lost his fastest time and pole position, starting the sprint from the back. Verstappen issued a statement expressing disappointment but reaffirming team support amid the setback.

Why it matters: The penalty costs Verstappen a strong sprint start and potential bonus points in a championship he leads by 63 points over Lando Norris with three races left. It underscores FIA's rigorous technical scrutiny, rare for a driver of Verstappen's caliber.

What to watch: Watch Verstappen's sprint race recovery and main Grand Prix qualifying; check for any FIA appeal ruling.