Max Verstappen's grueling defense of the drivers' championship continues. The Dutchman, thanks to an excellent performance in the qualifications in Singapore, he managed to secure the second starting position. A few meters away from him, his championship rival Lando Norris will start in pole position.
Verstappen doesn't give up in Singapore: second position between Norris and Hamilton
La Red Bull in Baku lost the lead in the constructors' championship, something that had not happened since 2022. The Austrian team was therefore called upon to react. The final result of the weekend is still uncertain, but certainly qualifying put Verstappen and Red Bull on the right track. In fact, qualifying on the streets of Marina Bay saw the Dutchman able to return to fighting for the positions that count, especially after two weekends, Monza and Baku, totally in color.
Yet there was no shortage of difficulties. In Q2, at the end of his first attempt, Verstappen almost lost his car where Sainz would later come out. Result: a wasted lap and no one was allowed to miss the second attempt. However, Verstappen was perfect, so much so that he easily managed to get back to the top of the timesheets, accessing the final phase of qualifying, unlike Sergio Perez who was instead eliminated. In Q3, after having his lap cancelled again thanks to the accident of Sainz, like his colleagues is forced to make only one attempt. Verstappen was perfect on this occasion too, finishing his qualifying in second position, right between Norris and Hamilton. Two drivers who somewhat represent the battles of the past and the difficulties of the present, from which however the Dutchman and Red Bull are certainly not shying away from facing them.
Verstappen optimistic: “We think we have a good chance for the race”
The excellent second place in qualifying came after a complicated start to the weekend. In fact, yesterday Red Bull had seen itself in quite a bit of difficulty, with Verstappen not feeling comfortable with the car. However, after FP3, the Austrian team managed to design a set-up that allowed Verstappen to be competitive. “We managed to improve the car attempt after attempt after FP3. That's why we're happy to be here, given where we started yesterday.Q2 was tough and then I had my lap deleted after the double yellows in Q3. Everyone had only one attempt, I didn't want to overdo it and stay within the limits. So I'm happy with this second place., I gladly accept it".
Verstappen, again in his post-qualifying statements, underlined how tyre management, which instead caused so much trouble to the Ferraris of Sainz and Leclerc, was as fundamental as it was complicated. “It's always quite difficult, because tires can always give you a lot of time or make you waste it. Today went pretty well and that’s why we’re here in second place.” Finally, Verstappen expressed hope for the race, during which he will try to annoy Norris and, above all, limit the damage in terms of the championship. “Tomorrow of course it will be a little difficult to predict what will happen because in Singapore many things can always happen. However, we think we have a good chance from this position."
