Max Verstappen has hinted at a change in fortunes for the Red Bull RB21 after the team unlocked hidden potential in the car this season. This shift occurred following a leadership transition at Red Bull, which has transformed the squad’s trajectory after a difficult period under former team principal Christian Horner.
Red Bull’s performance under Horner had been declining, with only two wins to show for it. However, since Laurent Mekies took over the reins, the team has regained competitiveness, especially after the summer break, positioning Verstappen and the RB21 at the forefront of the Formula 1 field.
When asked by Autosport if the RB21’s performance potential was already present, Verstappen responded clearly:
“That’s pretty clear, yes. But there’s nothing we can do about that now.”
On the reasons behind the sudden improvement, Verstappen subtly addressed the change in leadership:
“Nobody expected this to be honest. But of course, there are reasons why things are suddenly working better now. I just can’t say what those reasons are.”
Looking ahead to the Singapore Grand Prix, Verstappen secured a front-row starting position—a place he had not reached at this event before—indicating a strong setup for the weekend at the Marina Bay Circuit.
Max Verstappen Reflects on Challenges at Singapore and Recent Progress
Among the twenty-four tracks on the 2025 Formula 1 calendar, the Marina Bay Circuit remains the only venue where Verstappen has yet to claim a victory. Although he has never won there, he has managed three podium finishes across eight race attempts, suggesting a consistently solid but ultimately unfulfilled record at this circuit.
During the post-qualifying press conference, Verstappen acknowledged the difficulty he faced at Singapore in previous years, particularly highlighting 2022 as a lost opportunity:
“The last few years, it’s not been easy. I mean, 2022 — that was a good opportunity, but you need to, of course, put enough fuel in the car for qualifying. And then, of course, it would have changed the perception a bit, because I hear this now the whole week: ‘Never had a pole. Never won here.’ Well, fantastic. But yeah, now finally, the car is a bit more all-round, it seems… I think it will be nice if we can just keep this momentum going.”
Verstappen’s comments reflect a sense of frustration with past struggles but also an urgent desire to maintain the current upswing with a more balanced and competitive car.
Qualifying Position Sets Up Verstappen to Challenge Championship Rivals
Although Verstappen did not clinch pole position for the Singapore GP, starting alongside the front row positions him ahead of immediate championship competitors in a critical phase of the season. Notably, the McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris will be starting from third and fifth respectively, giving Verstappen an opportunity to capitalize early and gain valuable points toward the drivers’ championship.
This improved qualifying performance indicates Red Bull’s successful adjustments under Laurent Mekies, which have restored confidence in the RB21’s abilities and allowed Verstappen to avoid scenarios where fuel strategies or car setup hindered his qualifying pace in prior years.
Implications of Red Bull’s Recent Performance Reversal
The resurgence of the Red Bull team, led by Verstappen’s driving and the technical leadership shift, signals a pivotal moment for the squad’s 2025 campaign. The team’s climb back to the front of the grid after a tumultuous period under Christian Horner marks a strategic turnaround that could influence their title chances significantly in the remaining races.
With the RB21 exhibiting newfound all-round qualities and Verstappen motivated to break previous barriers such as a Singapore GP win, the landscape of the championship battle appears more intense and competitive than before. How the team sustains this momentum and adapts further in upcoming rounds will be crucial to their success.
