Verstappen's Singapore surge: Red Bull upgrades, fan confidence and a renewed title push
Max Verstappen arrives at the Singapore Grand Prix riding a wave of momentum and expectation. Fresh from back-to-back wins in Monza and Baku and now starting from the front row in Marina Bay, the Dutchman has convinced both rivals and fans that Red Bull has unlocked fresh potential from the RB21 just in time for a late-season charge.
A car unlocked: floor philosophy and a sharper front wing
After spending much of the year wrestling with a narrow operating window, Red Bull’s recent steps have transformed the RB21 into a far more compliant package. A revised floor introduced at Monza brought a significant shift in vertical load and, crucially, a better distribution that stabilised the car’s balance. For Singapore, a new front wing with altered camber on the final flap further boosted front-end load without unsettling the platform — a key gain on a stop-start street circuit that punishes entry instability.
Early long-run data indicated competitive race pace against McLaren, while the team’s session-by-session improvement — a Red Bull hallmark in its strongest years — returned in force. That combination explains how Verstappen out-qualified both McLarens and put himself alongside George Russell for the start around Marina Bay’s unforgiving walls.
Fans and rivals take notice
Public sentiment reflects the turnaround: in a fan poll, more than 63% backed Verstappen to win under the lights, with Oscar Piastri and Russell trailing in confidence despite starting close by. It’s a notable swing given how recently Red Bull’s prospects were being written off at higher-downforce venues.
The title picture — and a mental edge
Four-time champion Jenson Button highlighted what could become Red Bull’s decisive advantage: experience. With McLaren’s title-contending duo navigating the pressure of a first championship bid, Verstappen is racing with the composure of a serial winner. Button pointed to Baku as an inflection point, arguing that mental strain is beginning to register at the sharp end — while Verstappen appears to be “just going out there having fun” and executing.
Heat, comfort and focus
Even off-track details have made headlines. Verstappen voiced frustration with the FIA’s cooling vest solution amid Singapore’s notorious humidity, while Russell shrugged off the discomfort. Minor as it may seem, comfort management is part of the performance picture on one of the calendar’s most physically demanding nights.
With a dialled-in RB21, a confident driver and the scent of more points to trim in the standings, Verstappen has turned what looked improbable a few weeks ago into a very real opportunity in Singapore.
