Max Verstappen expresses concern over Red Bull’s performance issues during the Singapore Grand Prix: Second place not enough for Verstappen – Despite finishing second in the Singapore Grand Prix, Red Bull’s three-time world champion Max Verstappen was far from satisfied.
Although the result looked promising on paper, it failed to live up to Verstappen’s high expectations. The Dutchman has not won a race since the Spanish Grand Prix in June and the hunger for victory continues to gnaw at him.
Verstappen took the opportunity to carefully analyse both his own and his rivals’ performances, highlighting some key areas of concern within the Red Bull team. According to reports, Verstappen voiced his dissatisfaction with what he sees as a significant problem affecting the team’s overall competitiveness, particularly in comparison to rivals such as Lando Norris.
A detailed post-race review: Verstappen identifies Red Bull’s key problems
After crossing the line in second place in Singapore, Verstappen didn’t mince words when he spoke privately to the Red Bull team about his concerns. His frustration wasn’t just with the result, but with what he perceives to be a deeper issue plaguing Red Bull’s performance, particularly with the car’s handling on medium tyres.
At just 27 years of age, Verstappen is already a three-time world champion and his relentless drive to win means he’s constantly scrutinising every aspect of his and the team’s performance.
In his post-race review of the Singapore race, Verstappen is said to have highlighted Red Bull’s inability to match the pace of their rivals in certain conditions, a gap that was starkly evident when compared to drivers such as Lando Norris.
Team boss claims who was better: Schumacher vs Hamilton
Helmut Marko reveals Verstappen’s observations
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s advisor and head of the young driver programme, shed some light on the private discussions Verstappen had with the team after the race. According to Marko, Verstappen highlighted the issue of the loss of pace when using medium compound tyres – an issue that was highlighted during the Singapore Grand Prix.
“[Verstappen] told me that our problem and Norris’ dominance came from somewhere else, especially with the medium tyres; he was taking nine-tenths to a second per lap,” Marko revealed in an interview with *Motorsport.com*. “Even if our car was optimised, [Verstappen] couldn’t do those times on the medium tyres.
Those are worrying words for Red Bull, as the medium compound plays a crucial role in many races. For Verstappen, one of the most skilled drivers on the grid, to admit that he couldn’t match Norris’ lap times, even in optimum conditions, points to a deeper issue that the team urgently needs to address.
Why the current F1 safety car drought
Lando Norris: A rival on the rise
Lando Norris, who Verstappen identified as one of the key rivals Red Bull need to worry about, has been improving steadily throughout the season. During the Singapore Grand Prix, Norris was able to pull away from the pack with an impressive display of speed and skill, especially on the medium tyres, where he reportedly took almost a second per lap off the competition, including Verstappen.
For Verstappen and Red Bull, Norris’ rapid pace on the medium tyres is particularly worrying as it highlights a clear area where Red Bull’s RB19 car is struggling to compete. According to Marko, this performance gap raises critical questions for the team.
“And we are all wondering how [Norris] did it,” said Marko, admitting that Red Bull’s management is perplexed by Norris’ advantage. “When Norris is nine-tenths of a second quicker than us, it’s a different world on the horizon.”
Audi concerns following Renault F1 engine exit
A silver lining in a difficult race?
Despite the frustrating result, Verstappen’s second place in Singapore was not without merit. In a race where Red Bull clearly struggled to keep pace with Norris and even Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Verstappen’s ability to finish on the podium is a testament to his skill as a driver and his determination to maximise every opportunity.
Marko went as far as to say that, given the circumstances, second place was as good as a win for Red Bull.
“In the second stint, [Charles] Leclerc was as fast as Lando, if not a little bit faster. So I would almost say that second place was a win for us,” he admitted, reflecting the team’s internal struggles with car set-up and tyre management.
Bottas dispute with Audi opens the door for Schumacher
Can Red Bull resolve the issue before the United States Grand Prix?
The concerns raised by Verstappen, and acknowledged by Red Bull management, have put the team on high alert ahead of the United States Grand Prix on 20 October. With several races left in the season, there is still time for Verstappen to regain his winning form, but only if Red Bull can address the performance issues he has raised.
The Singapore Grand Prix was a clear indicator that Red Bull’s dominance is not guaranteed, and the gap between Verstappen and rivals such as Norris and Leclerc could widen if the team cannot resolve its technical challenges. In particular, the medium tyre compound appears to be a weak point that Red Bull must focus on in order to regain its competitive edge.
Ever the perfectionist, Verstappen will undoubtedly continue to push his team to find solutions. For a driver of his calibre, second place may feel like a defeat, but it also serves as motivation to push harder and demand more from himself and his team. As the F1 season enters its final stretch, all eyes will be on Red Bull to see if they can overcome the issues Verstappen has so pointedly highlighted.
Steiner denies Schumacher accusations
Red Bull face crucial test
Max Verstappen’s vocal concerns following the Singapore Grand Prix have highlighted Red Bull’s struggles with tyre management and overall performance. While Verstappen’s second place finish was a positive result in a challenging race, it underlined the work that Red Bull must do to stay ahead of the competition.
As the team prepares for the United States Grand Prix, the pressure is mounting. Red Bull must find a way to bridge the gap between themselves and rivals like Norris, particularly when it comes to performance on medium tyres. Whether they can rise to the challenge remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Max Verstappen won’t be satisfied until he’s back on the top step of the podium.
READ MORE – Wolff admits: Antonelli’s F1 debut a flop
MORE F1 NEWS – Schumacher join Audi F1 after Bottas dispute?
Mick Schumacher’s return to Formula 1: Closer than ever with Audi for 2025 after all? The story of Mick Schumacher’s possible return to Formula 1 has taken another recent twist. The young German, son of legendary seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, appears to be close to agreeing a deal with Audi (currently Sauber) for a seat in 2025.
Once thought to be out of the running for a second driver’s seat with the Swiss team, Schumacher is now back in the running, reportedly due to contractual disagreements between Sauber and their current driver, Valtteri Bottas…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
