Max Verstappen has already told Red Bull what they must ‘improve’ to win the Singapore Grand Prix

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Max Verstappen arrives at the Singapore Grand Prix knowing that victories are going to be his main currency between now and the end of the season.

The Dutchman desperately needs to go one step further around the Marina Bay circuit than he did in 2024 if he wants to keep his slender drivers’ championship hopes alive. A recent Red Bull floor upgrade should also aid his charge, having led him to two victories in Monza and Baku.

After spending the summer break without much to worry about, McLaren will be looking over their shoulders now. The relentless Verstappen has somehow found a way to remain in contention, and he can’t be counted out until mathematically, he can’t beat them anymore.

Jolyon Palmer thinks that Verstappen needs to succeed in Singapore, otherwise he’ll return to being more than just an outsider in proceedings. Verstappen’s ‘Plan A’ is to race the Nurburgring 24 Hours in 2026 following a solid GT3 outing last weekend. On everyone else’s week off, he was racing and remains fresh.

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Max Verstappen told Red Bull to ‘improve’ his grip if they want to win the Singapore Grand Prix

Over the last few seasons, the Singapore Grand Prix hasn’t been Verstappen or Red Bull’s happiest hunting ground. In fact, it’s the only track on the current calendar that he’s yet to win at.

Charles Leclerc would be surprised if Verstappen wins the title, and doesn’t believe that he has a realistic chance of a fifth consecutive crown with seven races to go. No one has ever clawed back a deficit as large as the Dutchman would have to.

To achieve the improbable, the 28-year-old needs to find a way to win in Singapore. Speaking after finishing second in last year’s race, Verstappen has already told his team where they must ‘improve’ if they want to do better. That point remains key in 2025.

“Yeah, I think that’s pretty much my race, just by myself,” he said. “Trying to do the best I could, trying to manage my own pace to the end.

“I think the first stint was a bit difficult for us, quite a bit of tyre degradation. Second stint was a bit better. I was a bit more comfortable as well.

“So, yeah, I think on a weekend where we knew that we were going to struggle to be P2 is a good achievement. Of course, we’re not happy with second. Now we just have to try and improve more and more, and that’s what we’ll try to do.”

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Why the Singapore Grand Prix is so critical for Max Verstappen

With a gap of 69 points to current leader, Oscar Piastri, outscoring him by 10 points per race would be enough to see him be crowned champion.

Lando Norris also needs to be remembered, but he would rather see his Aussie opponent finish third and himself first, before having to worry about anything else.

It’s unrealistic to expect Verstappen to win the next seven races in a row, which means that McLaren are going to need to make mistakes or retire at some point for him to have a realistic chance.

It’s a big reason why Jacques Villeneuve’s only Verstappen worry is Singapore, because if the gap is extended once more, his chances of the title may be over just as they start again.