Max Verstappen celebrated a significant turnaround for Red Bull after securing a second-place finish in the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix. The Singapore GP had previously been a thorn in Red Bull’s side, marking the only race the team failed to win in 2023.
Returning to Singapore, concerns lingered about a repeat of past struggles, especially after a challenging practice session on Friday where the RB20 appeared unsteady and lacked grip. However, Red Bull made impressive adjustments overnight, allowing Verstappen to qualify on the front row and quelling any doubts about the team’s competitiveness.
Despite Lando Norris’s commanding performance throughout the race, Verstappen expressed satisfaction with his own result. “Compared to the start of the weekend, we improved quite nicely,” he remarked. “It’s been great for us as a team on a track where we don’t typically excel. So, I’m happy with second today.”
A ‘Lonely’ Race for Verstappen
Any hopes Verstappen had of contesting for the win quickly vanished at the start. Norris launched ahead at the start, leaving Verstappen to fend off Lewis Hamilton’s challenge into Turn 1. From that point on, Norris built an insurmountable lead, leaving Verstappen in a solitary race pace.
As the race progressed, Mercedes fell behind, and Oscar Piastri began to make strides, leaving Verstappen with minimal competition for much of the 62-lap race. “The last few laps felt a bit better,” Verstappen noted, “but overall, it was quite a lonely race for me.”
Although he couldn’t catch Norris, Verstappen successfully defended against a late surge from Piastri. With 12 laps remaining, he maintained a comfortable 17-second lead, which grew to 21 seconds by the time the checkered flag waved.
By finishing second, Verstappen minimized the points lost to his rival, bringing the gap between him and Norris to 52 points. If this trend continues through the remaining races and sprint events, the title race could extend to the final round in Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, McLaren’s lead in the Constructors’ standings over Red Bull has widened to 41 points, intensifying the competition in the championship.
