SAO PAULO :Max Verstappen wrote off his Formula One title chances after the Red Bull driver qualified a surprise 16th for Sunday's Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The Dutchman, third in the standings behind McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri and chasing a fifth successive world championship, had earlier finished fourth in a sprint race won by Norris.

"I can forget about that," Verstappen, now 39 points behind the Briton, told reporters on Saturday when asked for his thoughts on the championship.

Norris qualified on pole for the main race with Piastri fourth.

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