Max Verstappen makes ‘difficult’ Singapore Grand Prix admission after intense Lando Norris battle

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Max Verstappen earned his fourth consecutive top-two finish in a row after a tight finish with Lando Norris at the Singapore Grand Prix.

The Dutchman faced a race-long battle with both his tyres and McLaren rival to keep hold of second place, and never looked like challenging for victory. The Red Bull just wasn’t quick enough to lead him to a win at the only circuit he has failed to crack in Formula 1.

Verstappen gains some ground in the title race, but not as much as he would have hoped. Coming into the Singapore Grand Prix, he wasn’t expected to contend for much more than a podium, so it might feel as though he maximised his returns.

Verstappen’s Red Bull sprung a surprise in Singapore, but on a positive note, he was faster than both McLaren drivers for the third consecutive weekend. Fans like Verstappen now that he isn’t dominating, and by keeping in the title fight, he’s setting up a tantalising end to the campaign.

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Max Verstappen says Singapore Grand Prix was ‘difficult’ for him to manage

McLaren may need to prioritise a driver as Verstappen continues to close their advantage in the drivers’ championship. With the constructors’ title now sealed, their full attention can turn to ensuring that they secure a first title double in 27 years.

Teamwork will be important against someone as fearless as Verstappen. The Dutchman has returned to his imperious form lately, but reflected on a ‘difficult’ race in Singapore during the post-race interviews with Jenson Button.

“Yeah, the track only just got dry [at the start],” he said. “Starting on the dirty side of the grid, we just opted to try something different because normally, if you just cross or past turn one, you just stay there without anything crazy.

“So, we tried. It didn’t really work out, so then the first stint was always about just surviving on the tyres, trying to make it long enough to then pit for the hard tyre. I think that worked out, but unfortunately, I think the whole race was difficult. More difficult than I hoped for, for a lot of different reasons,” Verstappen continued.

“A few things that we need to understand why these things went wrong today. Even then, around here, even if you have more pace, you can’t pass without anything crazy happening. I think for us, second was then the maximum result.”

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Can Max Verstappen still win the 2025 F1 title after the Singapore Grand Prix

Not winning in Singapore is a slight dent to Verstappen’s hopes. The gap to championship leader Piastri is now 63 points, with six races to go.

He can no longer afford to see the Aussie finish on the podium at every race, even if he wins them all, to still secure a fifth consecutive title crown.

It makes the next event in the United States an all-or-nothing occasion for the Dutchman. Anything less than a podium kills his chances.

He has just about done what he needs to do in Singapore to keep things alive. Beating the McLaren drivers was a minimum requirement, and now he can focus on going one better next time.