Max Verstappen’s relentless pursuit of a third-world title faced an unexpected hurdle as his 10-race winning streak came to an end in Singapore.
Carlos Sainz emerged victorious on the challenging streets of Singapore, while Red Bull struggled to find their optimal setup throughout the weekend.
Both Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez failed to advance to the final qualifying session. Verstappen, the championship leader, settled for a fifth-place finish, increasing his lead to 151 points.
Although Verstappen’s dominant run raises questions about its impact on Formula One’s excitement, the Dutchman is unperturbed. He believes that if someone outperforms Red Bull and wins, they’ve earned it. “For me, we got beaten in a very clear way,” Verstappen stated. He emphasizes that he doesn’t ponder what’s best for Formula One; instead, he focuses on performance.
Red Bull’s aspiration to become F1’s “invincibles” was also dashed in Singapore, marking their first race without a win this season.
However, the team is poised to secure the constructors’ title soon. Suzuka’s circuit, known for its high-speed corners, appears well-suited to Red Bull’s car. Lewis Hamilton anticipates the Red Bull car performing exceptionally well on this track.
Verstappen, undaunted by the Singapore setback, looks forward to the upcoming race in Japan. He acknowledges that there will be weekends when things don’t go their way but remains optimistic about their chances. “It should be a good track for us this weekend,” he notes.
Verstappen is aware that he cannot clinch his third world title this weekend but may achieve it in Qatar. Regardless of when or how he secures it, he remains focused on his performance rather than the accolades.
