Max Verstappen has detailed what a successful weekend would look like for him at the Singapore Grand Prix. Despite leading the drivers' championship by 59 points, the three-time F1 champion has low-balled expectations by only targeting the final section of qualifying, saying success for the event overall would be extending his lead in the title fight. The Dutchman heads to the Marina Bay Street Circuit following consecutive difficult rounds for the Milton Keynes-based team. In Monza, the three-time F1 drivers' champion could only qualify seventh-fastest before moving forward one place in the race, to finish the Italian Grand Prix in sixth. Last week in Baku, the 26-year-old again struggled in the grid-setting session and was out-qualified by Sergio Perez for the first time in 33 grands prix. Things went from bad to worse in the race as he crossed the chequered flag in fifth and behind title rival Lando Norris, despite the McLaren driver starting from P15. Now, the 61-time grand prix winner must face a race in which he has seldom enjoyed the success he is accustomed to elsewhere. In 2022, a qualifying error left him eighth on the grid. He could only recover to seventh in the race and last year, he was eliminated in Q2 prior to a fifth-place result on Sunday - the only grand prix Red Bull failed to win. "Q3, that should definitely be the goal, but I'm not going to say that I can put it on pole position here," Verstappen told Dutch media including RacingNews365. "My weekend will be a success if I extend my lead in the championship."
Victory in Singapore would take a 'small miracle'
Red Bull has struggled considerably with bumps and kerbs this season, with street circuits the RB20's Achilles' heel. Whilst it is an issue that pre-dates the latest Red Bull car, the increased competition has brought the problems to the fore. With the Marina Bay Street Circuit already proving to be a nemesis of the reigning constructors' champions, Verstappen appreciates what will be required for him to take the first Singapore GP victory of his career, and his first win since the Spain in June. "A small miracle, yes," Verstappen replied when asked if a miracle had to happen for him to reach the top step of the podium on Sunday. "I'm not going to shout that I expect to win here, no."
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