Reflecting on an positive day of practice ahead of this weekend’s Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, Max Verstappen believes Red Bull has work to do to challenge for pole position.
After winning the last two rounds, Max Verstappen arrives as at the F1 Singapore GP with a sense of momentum, as he looks to improve his slim title prospects.
In a strange opening session, the reigning champion finished third, three tenths behind Fernando Alonso’s session topping time that did not truly reflect qualifying and race temperatures.
The second session, interrupted by red flags caused by crashes from Liam Lawson and George Russell, Verstappen once again finished third, 0.143s away from leader Oscar Piastri.
Speaking to media after FP2, Verstappen felt optimistic abut Red Bull’s progress, but admitted the RB21 needed further work ahead of qualifying.
“It was not too bad I think FP1 started quite nicely, we just getting up to speed with things but the car was not too bad,” Verstappen said.
“A bit like the last two weekends where you know there were no major problems and then in FP2 a few things that we tried some some were good, so we just need to try and optimise that a bit more.
“But overall not in general quite satisfied but definitely need a bit more pace to uh to fight up at the front tomorrow.”
Asked if his results were satisfying at a track that he and Red Bull traditionally struggle at, the Dutchman labelled his work on Friday as “positive”.
“I think so I mean that’s definitely very positive still a few things that we want to do better but it’s not like we need to throw around the setup completely so that is a that’s a good thing but we’ll see tomorrow.
Verstappen is not yet convinced, despite the positive showing on Friday, that his speed will translate into a good result on Saturday.
“Is it going to be good enough to fight up front I don’t know.
I always find FP2 is a bit difficult to say you know with people running engine modes you know top speed wise.
“I guess we’ll see in qualifying. You know, right here, the tyres overheat a lot, so all those things just need to be a little bit better and then hopefully that will be a bit more in the window and then you can push also a bit harder.”
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