Max Verstappen calls P2 in Singapore ‘good achievement’ but insists Red Bull ‘have to improve’ for future races

Max Verstappen made clear that he and Red Bull are “not happy” about finishing second to McLaren’s Lando Norris at the Singapore Grand Prix, but described it as a “good achievement” in the circumstances.

Verstappen and team mate Sergio Perez started the weekend on the back foot as they struggled to tame the RB20 around the Marina Bay Street Circuit, leaving both of them braced for a challenging weekend.

While that played out for Perez, who got eliminated in Q2 and went on to finish the race 10th, Verstappen managed to turn the situation around and make it into the pole position shootout – where he placed second to championship rival Norris.

2024 Singapore Grand Prix: Norris takes the lead as Verstappen fends off Hamilton on the race start

On race day, it soon became clear that Norris and McLaren had the upper hand, with the Briton winning by some 20 seconds and reducing Verstappen’s title advantage from 59 points to 52 ahead of the final six rounds.

Asked to reflect on his lonely night at the wheel, and the pace displayed by Norris, the reigning world champion said: “I think that’s pretty much my race, by myself. I tried to do the best I could, tried to manage my own pace to the end.

AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from the Singapore GP as Norris beats Verstappen

“I think the first stint was a bit difficult for us, quite a bit of tyre degradation. The second stint was a bit better, I was a bit more comfortable as well.

“I think on a weekend where we knew that we were going to struggle, to be P2 is a good achievement. Of course, we are not happy with second. Now we just have to try and improve more and more, and that’s what we’ll try to do.”

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 22: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL38 — Verstappen had no answer to Norris’s pace as the Grand Prix developed

Verstappen’s points advantage could have been cut to 51 points, had it not been for a late, successful fastest lap attempt from RB’s Daniel Ricciardo, whose effort denied Norris the bonus that is on offer.

Pushed on his lead ebbing away, Verstappen commented: “It is, but this also can change very quickly again, so we just need to keep on trying, try to at one point overturn it a bit, not always finishing behind, but we’ll see how that goes.”

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After a hot and humid affair, Verstappen added that he is “looking forward to a bit of rest” as F1 gets set to enter another month-long break before the season resumes with the United States Grand Prix in Austin from October 18-20.