2 days Ago By [email protected] (Nathan Ridley)
Max Verstappen has reminded McLaren that the race to win the constructors' championship 'isn't over yet' - and warned them of a Red Bull response in Singapore. McLaren moved top of the standings for the first time in 2024 on Sunday, as Oscar Piastri won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix while team-mate Lando Norris recovered from starting 15th to finish fourth. Red Bull, meanwhile, had a nightmare and for the first time since May 2022 are no longer top of the constructor standings.
Verstappen could only manage P5 after being overtaken by drivers' championship rival Norris while Sergio Perez , who was gunning for his first podium finish since April, crashed out on the penultimate lap following a collision with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz . That all gives McLaren a 20-point advantage going into the final seven Grands Prix and three Sprint races this season. Having dominated the first part of the campaign, Verstappen hasn't won a single race since June and has only been on the podium once in the past five Grands Prix .
The three-time F1 world champion has increasingly complained of issues with his car but hopes that this Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix will mark the start of Red Bull's turnaround. "It's never nice to see [McLaren leading the standings]," Verstappen, 25, admitted after his struggles in Baku. "But the fight is not over yet.
We'll try to get that back." Asked what he'll do differently on Sunday, with Singapore notably being the only Grand Prix which Red Bull failed to win in 2023, the Dutchman added: "Well, we're trying to optimise the setup to understand what we did wrong here. I don't think it's going to be our best track, naturally, but we'll see.
It might surprise us." Verstappen's comments contrast those made by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko after all was said and done in Azerbaijan. Asked if the prospect of Red Bull winning a third successive constructors' title is now out of reach, Marko replied: "To be honest, yes.
" He went on to say: "The positive thing is that Oscar Piastri is close to Lando Norris in terms of points and there are team orders within McLaren. Therefore, clarity will not follow so quickly. "Max couldn't even hook it up [in Baku].
The tyres failed and the temperatures of the brakes went up. The car has potential, but the setup is still very sensitive. The progress will not be seen in Singapore - we'll just have to see how we get through that race, but we really need to do better from Austin, otherwise the drivers' championship will also be in jeopardy.
" Your turn! Who'll win the constructors' title - McLaren or Red Bull? Give us your prediction in the comments section Given that Verstappen is still 59 points ahead of Norris in the driver standings, it's clear that Perez's mid-season woes have dealt the real damage to Red Bull's title hopes. The Mexican remains the lowest-scoring driver among those from the top four teams, although he enjoyed a strong performance in Baku before colliding with Sainz. Returning to his most successful track, Perez was faster Verstappen in qualifying for the first time since April 2023.
But the 34-year-old wasn't able to upgrade his P4 start into a podium finish, as he was forced to retire when he and Sainz ended up in the wall as they both pushed for third. "It's a disaster for the championships," Perez told Sky Sports . "For both of us to end our weekend like this when we definitely had a lot more on the table, it's a bit of a disaster.
" He later added: It makes me feel super sad for my team, McLaren overtook us in the championship, but the positive thing is the pace is back." Catch all the action from Formula One on Sky Sports and get exclusive access to races, qualifying and much more for every Grand Prix. From Max Verstappen to Lewis Hamilton, you won't miss a lap on Sky Sports.
.
