Still years of disadvantage for Verstappen and Red Bull: ‘We hope for ’26’
Helmut Marko was honest after the Singapore GP: “Second place [in Singapore] was equivalent to a win for us.” The external advisor of the team realised that all Max Verstappen could do was damage control, and talking to Motorsport-Total, he also said that Charles Leclerc was faster than the Dutchman on his final stint, therefore with bad luck, he could have missed out on finishing in P2.
If Lando Norris wins every remaining Grand Prix and Sprint, but Verstappen can finish in P2 everywhere, the Dutchman could still win the title, given that Daniel Ricciardo was able to get the addition point for the fastest lap in Singapore. However, according to Marko, “Only finishing second is far too little.” However, it is not going to be easy to beat Lando Norris and his strong McLaren team this season, as for months now, the Woking-based team’s car has been by far the best on the F1 grid.
