Jolyon Palmer tells Max Verstappen what he must do in Singapore to be in ‘contention’ for 2025 F1 title

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Max Verstappen has emerged as a contender to possibly spoil Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s 2025 F1 title hopes after consecutive Grand Prix routs, and Jolyon Palmer has shared what the Dutchman must do next to be among the McLarens at the top of the standings.

The reigning world champion has been in a league of his own at recent race weekends, rounding out the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with his sixth career Grand Slam, which puts him joint-second with Lewis Hamilton in the all-time list.

Keeping his red-hot form aflame, Verstappen stunned at the Nurburgring in between Baku and the upcoming race in Singapore.

The Dutchman won his first GT3 race at the famous Green Hell after successfully securing a permit to compete in the category just weeks before.

Verstappen currently sits 44 points behind Norris in second place, with championship leader Piastri holding a 69-point advantage over the Red Bull man.

READ MORE: Karun Chandhok explains why he still can’t rank Max Verstappen as one of F1’s top five drivers

Jolyon Palmer thinks Max Verstappen needs to succeed in Singapore in order to have another F1 title shot

At two very low downforce tracks in Italy and Azerbaijan, the RB21, with Verstappen at the wheel, was in a league of its own. The winning margins were 19 seconds and 14 seconds, respectively, in a testament to how strong the pace of the Austrian constructors’ car was.

However, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer is hesitant to admit that the Milton Keynes-based team will continue to see the same performance and tracks with differing characteristics.

Speaking on a recent episode of the F1 Nation podcast, the British pundit offered his thoughts on whether the four-time world champion can make it five by the time the chequered flag falls in Abu Dhabi.

“The thing is, the Red Bull in the low-downforce trim is really good,” Palmer started. “We expected them to be really strong in Baku. I think we said it as much before the race weekend. Monza likewise. 

“I’m not so convinced that Max is going to take pole in Singapore. If he does it, then I think he’ll be in some contention, but he’s going to need some disaster for McLaren still.

“Even for Max, I think this is too far. I think he’s just going to be swinging away and take some race wins.”

It’s clear that he is the difference-maker at the team, and Red Bull are doing everything in their power to keep a hold of Verstappen, including letting him do as he pleases during his extra-curricular racing activities.

READ MORE: Ferrari F1 fans are all saying the same thing after Max Verstappen wins Nurburgring GT3 race

Max Verstappen has been ‘galvanised’ by the arrival of Laurent Mekies

Red Bull’s sacking of Christian Horner in July came at a point in time when the Austrian constructor was at their lowest ebb for a number of years. Multiple key personnel within the team had left for greener pastures, and Verstappen’s gaze had also been turned.

However, the arrival of Red Bull’s new team principal, Laurent Mekies, has completely turned the team’s season around, and Palmer has noted the effect that it’s had on their star driver.

“Operationally, I think they’re very strong, and I don’t think that’s changed with the management change,” Palmer continued on F1 Nation. “I think they’ve always been there, and Laurent Mekies has obviously come in, and they seem to still be really on point.

“I like the fact that Max seems really galvanised again in the team. It wasn’t that long ago, the summer months and when Christian was still there, Max was refusing to commit his future to Red Bull, even though he had a contract there.

“You could feel the tension between driver and management, and this was at the same time when there were points slipping away from Max.”

Even if the team aren’t capable of serving up a late push for the title, things certainly bode well for the Milton Keynes-based team heading into the upcoming season of F1’s new 2026 regulations.