Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix Prediction: Verstappen's Achilles heel

Just as Max is closing in on the McLaren duo in the drivers' title race, the Singapore Grand Prix comes along, which should be a great fit for the Woking team, and could even secure the team's title. Despite McLaren's poor weekend in Baku, the situation for confirming the constructors' title is simpler in Singapore. Papaya needs to score 13 points this weekend to secure the title.

Singapore GP

Max is only missing a win at this track to have at least one win at each of the current calendar events. The Dutchman was second last year, but that was over 20 seconds behind Lando Norris. It is one of the most winding tracks on the calendar. The circuit is 4,940 metres long and has 19 corners, since the 2023 changes reduced the number from 23. This was achieved by adding a 400-metre straight in the section after the 16th corner. Nevertheless, this race is also one of the longest in terms of time on the calendar. The track surface has the same characteristics of very low roughness. There are not many recovery zones, and the fences are, of course, very close, however, in some parts, the track is actually quite wide.

Norris: Red Bull is always complaining about something

Lando Norris dismisses suggestions he obstructed Verstappen in Singapore Grand Prix qualifying. The McLaren driver has hit back at Red Bull after Max Verstappen accused him of obstructing him during qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix, saying: “They always complain, it’s Red Bull.” At the end of qualifying at Marina Bay, Norris was on his pit lane after securing fifth place on the grid, while Verstappen was on a fast lap in the final sector – the Dutchman was the last of the leaders to cross the finish line. As Norris slowed on the way to the pits, about two to three seconds ahead, Verstappen locked his wheels and missed the apex of Turn 16, forcing him to abandon his lap, gesturing angrily at Norris.

Russell takes pole position, Verstappen completes first starting row in Singapore!

Mercedes' George Russell surprised everyone by taking pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix. The Englishman set a time of 1:29.165 on his first attempt in Q3, and no one managed to break that time at the end of the session. Max Verstappen finished second and Oscar Piastre third. The championship leader will be pleased to have qualified ahead of his main rival and teammate, Lando Norris, who took fifth place on the grid. The McLaren drivers were separated by Kimi Antonelli, who confirmed Mercedes' good form on the streets of Singapore. Although the Ferrari drivers showed promising speed in the opening qualifying rounds, they lacked the speed when it was needed most. Lewis Hamilton had to settle for sixth and Charles Leclerc seventh. Isack Hadjar finished eighth ahead of Oliver Bearman and Fernando Alonso, who rounded out the top 10.

Expert Betting Tips

Singapore is one of the toughest races in the calendar, and Russel is aware that his starting position doesn't mean much. Red Bull had an answer to the previous two races that did not require much downforce. Of course, the difference was also made by Verstappen, who is currently driving at a level above the McLaren duo. However, the Marina Bay Street Circuit is a completely different story this weekend. It is not that Max will not be at the level, but it remains to be seen how much difference McLaren's tire whispering and Red Bull's torture on the bumpy track will make. There will be as many as 4 DRS zones, but overtaking is still quite difficult due to the characteristics of a street race.

OUR PREDICTION: Max Verstappen to win