SAO PAULO, Nov 8 — Max Verstappen’s late bid for a fifth drivers world title suffered a setback yesterday when he qualified only sixth for Saturday’s sprint race at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The 28-year-old Dutchman, who said he needs four near-perfect weekends to overhaul McLaren driver Lando Norris’s 36-point advantage in the title race, grumbled about the balance and handling of his Red Bull.