Max Verstappen has expressed caution about predicting how improvements to the Red Bull RB21 will affect its performance at the Singapore Grand Prix. Speaking to media, including Sportskeeda, the Dutch driver highlighted that the combination of the circuit’s high-downforce demands along with intense heat and humidity could create significant challenges for his team this weekend.
Despite Red Bull’s dominance in recent seasons—2022, 2023, and 2024—the Marina Bay street circuit has traditionally exposed vulnerabilities in the car’s setup. The abrasive track surface and demanding layout have often been unforgiving. Before 2022, Red Bull frequently demonstrated strong form at this venue, but ongoing developments, especially a floor upgrade introduced at Monza, now make Singapore a critical test to verify whether the team’s progress is paying off.
Challenges of Singapore’s High-Downforce Environment
Verstappen pointed out that the previous two races featured tracks with low downforce and minimal tire degradation, which suited the RB21’s natural strengths by making tire and car management less complex. He reflected on last year’s Singapore GP, where despite finishing second, he was still considerably behind Lando Norris and the McLaren team. Going into this weekend, he expects Red Bull to be more competitive than they were at Hungary or Zandvoort but remained unsure about the extent to which the car’s previous problems have been solved.
When asked about lessons from the last two races and their relevance to Singapore, Verstappen commented:
“Yeah, I mean, the two last races have been low downforce for his low degradation. I think here, you, it’s a lot harder on the tires and high downforce. I’m not so sure that our car is the best at the high downforce setting.” — Max Verstappen, Driver
“I think it’s always a bit better when you go to lower downforce, which just seems more efficient. So, yeah, we have to wait and see. I mean, last year we were second, but quite a mile off, you know, trying to win the race. So hopefully we’ll be just more competitive. And I honestly don’t know what that means for us this weekend, we just have to wait.” — Max Verstappen, Driver
On whether Singapore would show an improvement from Hungary, another high-downforce track where Red Bull struggled, Verstappen replied:
“In Zandvoort it was high downforce, high deg [degradation], we were not particularly strong there. So I hope it’s not gonna be like that. But I do think with how we run the car, that it will be a bit better, but I don’t know how much better.” — Max Verstappen, Driver
Verstappen Takes a Measured Approach to the 2025 Title Battle
Turning attention to the broader championship fight, Max Verstappen emphasized that his strategy for the 2025 campaign is to focus on each race individually without making premature predictions. Currently trailing Oscar Piastri by 69 points with only seven rounds left in the season, the four-time world champion recognizes the significant gap but remains focused on extracting the maximum from every race weekend.
Verstappen accepted that some tracks might favor Red Bull, while others could give McLaren an edge, and he remains unfazed by his current status as the underdog in the title fight.
Regarding his mindset in the championship chase, he stated:
“Well, for my side, honestly, I do see it as a race by race thing, 69 points is still a lot. Especially if you look at how the season it’s gone so far, McLaren has been incredibly dominant that doesn’t suddenly change. So for me, yeah, I’m not too stressed about anything. I’m just enjoying what I’m doing in a F1 and outside of it, having fun.” — Max Verstappen, Driver
“And yeah, I’m just trying to do the best I can every single time that I jump in the car. Some tracks naturally will be a bit better for us, some probably a bit worse. Maybe this one a bit worse. If we win it we win it great, if we don’t, we don’t. Life goes on. It’s not there. I don’t know, I’m just not too distressed about anything.” — Max Verstappen, Driver
McLaren Wary of Red Bull’s Recent Improvements
While Verstappen downplays his championship chances, Red Bull’s progress with the RB21 has caught the attention of rival McLaren. The team, known colloquially as the Papaya squad, remains cautious of Red Bull’s evolving performance, especially after Verstappen’s commanding victory in Baku raised concerns over a resurgent challenge.
McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, acknowledged Verstappen’s continued threat in the championship race and hinted that Red Bull could display stronger form at Singapore despite its historical struggles at the circuit.
In the current standings, Verstappen trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by 69 points and is 44 points behind Lando Norris, illustrating the uphill battle ahead while intensifying pressure on McLaren to maintain its lead.
Singapore GP Represents a Pivotal Test for Red Bull
The upcoming Singapore Grand Prix will serve as a crucial examination of whether Red Bull’s recent technical updates can withstand one of the season’s most daunting challenges. With its unique street layout, high-downforce requirements, and severe tire wear, Marina Bay has repeatedly highlighted areas where the RB21 has faltered.
Verstappen’s cautious outlook and the team’s focus on finding a balance between performance and reliability signify the importance of this race for their 2025 aspirations. The outcome here could influence momentum in the tightly contested title battle and shape strategies for the concluding rounds of the campaign.
