While the drivers are soaked with sweat after the heaviest race of the year, fireworks plums are shining in the water of the Marina Bay in Singapore on Sunday. Fireworks in honor of racing winner George Russell. And Van McLaren, which has not only secured his tenth constructor title, but can also breathe relieved when it comes to the world title among the drivers.
That sounds contradictory: Max Verstappen finished under the artificial light in the oppressive warm city state as second, before McLaren-Rijders Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. He reduced his backlog on the duo to 63 (Piastri) and 41 (Norris) points respectively. More than a hundred points behind more than a month ago. But if you look beyond those facts, you have to conclude on the basis of the match image in Singapore that the chance is still very small that Verstappen can close the gap in the remaining six races, in which each victory yields 25 points.
It is possible in theory. In the recent past, several riders came back from apparently unbridgeable backlogs. Kimi Räikkönen won the title in 2007, after he had been behind 17 points (at the time almost two wins) two races before the end. In 2010, Sebastian Vettel bridged a gap of 25 points on the way to the championship in just as many races.
For Verstappen it was not good news that – behind the unbeatable Mercedes of Russell – not himself, but the McLarens in the race were the fastest. Norris drove almost twenty laps so close behind Verstappen that a towing cable had fitted between their cars. But he didn’t pass it. Due to the turbulent air of Verstappens Red Bull, the Brit could not get close enough to take an attack on one of the short straight pieces – the street circuit in Singapore is known that you can hardly catch up.
Vulnerable
Calculated in Singapore it was to be expected that McLaren would be vulnerable, Team boss Andrea Stella said Saturday. The MCL39 excels in mid-corner: the middle part of a bend, in which it is about turning the car in the right direction. In Singapore – and on other jobs where the orange cars came out less, such as Montréal, Monza and Baku – you will find almost exclusively slow, angle turns. “On those circuits, the mid-corner is too short,” Stella explained on Saturday, and it turns more about braking and accelerating as efficiently as possible.
Despite that disadvantage, the McLarens were able to keep up with Verstappen’s car. And to think that most remaining circuits do have much longer turns, with the longer mid-corner phase that the McLaren loves. That does not mean that Red Bull has indeed made clear progress. Last year Verstappen was driven in Singapore by Norris. And only two months ago his year had a low point, when Norris almost drove him in Hungary in a round behind.
In contrast to McLaren, which has almost stopped the development of his car to focus on 2026, Red Bull continued to improve his RB21. A new floor in Monza, continuous updates of the front wing and a better understanding of the team about the relationship between all aerodynamics, have ensured that the previously almost indembeable car can now be adjusted a lot easier.
For Verstappen it was not a good news that – behind the unbeatable Russell – not himself, but the McLarens were the fastest
On all types of circuits, the Red Bull Verstappen now seems to be able to participate in the front. Verstappen dominated in Monza and Baku, where there is driven with small wings, but was also competitive this weekend when there is a lot downforce was driven.
Unfortunately, it also appeared in Singapore that the RB21 still has enough problematic sides. During the race, Verstappen continuously complained about his car, which was out of balance, even “unmanageable”. “So shit to drive!” He fudded, after he had almost driven into the wall with a blocking front wheel. If Red Bull and Verstappen want to beat the McLarens, they cannot afford that kind of struggle. Verstappen will have to win every race, and the McLaren duo will have to drop.
Glimmer of hope
In that respect, Singapore also yielded a spark of hope for Verstappen. Shortly after the start, Norris caught up with the two places for him started classification leader Piaastri in a harsh but legal way; The wheels of the McLarens touched each other. Piastri complained about this to his team, but he told him that Norris had hit him because he should have diverted Verstappen. “If he has to avoid another car by driving against his teammate, then that is a fairly moderate avoidance campaign,” Piastri hummed back.
McLaren does his utmost to make the championship fight between his two drivers fair and without controversy. In Monza, the Piastri team even had to pass on Norris, after it was hit on the back due to a slow pit stop. Piastri obeyed.
Whether he will do that again – with the denouement in the title fight so close and the clash in Singapore fresh in the memory – is doubtful. Perhaps it will come to an even worse confrontation between Norris and Piastri. Maybe not either. Anyway: unrest in McLaren, with drivers who are already wasting points arguing, Verstappen’s last, unlikely straw in the 2025 world championship.
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