Max Verstappen says his chance to win Formula 1’s Singapore Grand Prix disappeared at the start, as he was overhauled by Sebastian Vettel.
Verstappen lined up on the front row of the grid for the first time in 2018 as he overcame engine issues to qualify second only to Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.
But any aspirations he held of jumping Hamilton were gone when he made a so-so getaway and instead had to defend second against Vettel.
Verstappen preserved the position into Turn 1 but the Ferrari driver got a greater exit through Turn 5 and overhauled the Dutchman along Raffles Boulevard.
Verstappen nonetheless overcut Vettel through the pit stop phase to re-emerge as Hamilton’s nearest challenger and maintained second until the chequered flag.
“It was a shame to lose a position to Sebastian so early on but there was not a lot I could do as we were both flat out,” he said.
“I should have been able to hold the line but I just couldn’t match his speed.
“My only real chance to win was at the start, unfortunately it was a bit all over the place and I knew my chance had gone.
“Luckily the team had me on a great strategy and therefore managed to get me back into second place with a brilliant pit stop.
“When I got close to Lewis due to back markers I never really thought the pass would be possible. It’s hard to overtake here so I didn’t want to take the risk.”
Verstappen’s runner-up spot was Red Bull’s fifth in a row in Singapore, after Vettel (2014) and Daniel Ricciardo (2015 to 2017) finished in the position.
Team-mate Ricciardo finished the race in sixth place to ensure Red Bull got both cars to the finish for the first time since the French Grand Prix.
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