Verstappen reports another steering problem in Brazil practice

Max Verstappen reported another steering problem during Saturday practice for the Brazilian Grand Prix, as Red Bull prepared changes to his car and a reported engine-component penalty threatened to affect his starting position. The penalty had not been confirmed as an official grid decision in the reporting available before qualifying.

During the third practice session, Verstappen told race engineer Tom Hart that the steering wheel felt very heavy when he tried to turn right. Hart responded that Verstappen’s one-liners had been better the previous day, and Verstappen replied that the day was still young. On Friday, Verstappen had described difficulty turning left and said the steering was getting harder to manage.

Red Bull’s head of race strategy, Hannah Schmitz, said after Friday practice that the team was considering several changes to Verstappen’s car, including using a different steering wheel. She said the team understood the issues he had raised and could work on them. The reports did not establish whether the changes had resolved the steering problem before qualifying.

Verstappen finished third in both Friday sessions, despite complaints about steering, downshifts and...