Verstappen in attack mode for Singapore, McLaren be worried!

McLaren’s dominance, with Oscar Piastri leading teammate Lando Norris in the standings, had looked unchallenged for much of the year. But Verstappen’s resurgent form means Singapore will be a critical barometer.

One win could have been a fluke, two may be a coincidence, but if Verstappen makes it three in a row under the lights of Marina Bay, then McLaren’s stranglehold is no longer absolute and might have flipped to the Red Bull garage.

Grand Prix winner Riccardo Patrese believes exactly that. He said ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix weekend: “What we have discovered in the last two races, because he also won at Monza, is that Max Verstappen is not dead yet. He has given McLaren and Piastri and Norris a lot to think about. I’ve never seen a race with so many mistakes as Baku; next race it shouldn't happen again.”

Patrese pointed to wasted opportunities for McLaren: “After Piastri’s mistakes, I thought that Norris could go a little bit further, maybe not to win the race, but at least to get on to the podium. But for some reason he didn't perform well enough. He lost an opportunity to get closer to Piastri.

“Piastri still has the advantage over in the championship because he has quite a lot of points. But from my experience, till you finish the championship, never say, ‘Okay, I am the winner.’ He must concentrate on his duel with Norris but also the threat from Verstappen.

"That is the problem that Andre Stella has to deal with. If Verstappen keeps going as he has over the next two races, maybe wins one, then, McLaren have to say, ‘Now we need team orders.’ McLaren cannot afford for Norris and Piastri to fight and lose.”

The Italian veteran believes Verstappen’s confidence is justified, as the Red Bull RB21 appears to have closed its deficit to McLaren: “Yes, the way Verstappen is speaking shows he knows that the car has improved and maybe there are some small improvements coming. So, he has the chance to really put pressure on and maybe win the championship.

“In the last two races he disappeared at the front. You didn't see him on the television he was so far ahead! He left everybody 30 seconds behind. So, he looked very strong. I'm quite excited to see what's going to happen.”

Verstappen’s streak has changed the complexion of the championship. Piastri remains in control with seven wins, Norris close behind with five, but the Red Bull driver’s re-emergence could force McLaren into a dilemma. Team orders may yet be required if their two men are to withstand the threat of a three-time champion who refuses to concede.

Singapore, then, is more than another race. For Verstappen, it is the chance to turn momentum into a genuine title challenge. For McLaren, it is about restoring order before their inter-team fight becomes secondary to an external threat. Under the lights on Sunday, the answers will be clearer.

For now, the odds are stacked against Verstappen, which will only fire him up; the 'smart' money is on Piastri and Norris, with bookmakers giving equal odds on one of the pair winning this year's title. But be sure, not if Max can help it!