Verstappen: We just focus on our own thing

Red Bull's Max Verstappen is the only driver to have broken Mercedes' stranglehold of the top step of the Formula 1 podium so far this year, thanks to his famous victory at the Spanish Grand Prix in May, but he is playing down hype ahead of this weekend's F1 world championship race.

Heading to Singapore, scene of Mercedes' now show last year, the teenage Dutch sensation is upbeat but cautious about his team's chances, "At the moment yes we have good hopes that we can be very competitive, but how well I don't know yet. But hopefully we are very competitive like for example in Monaco."

"We are all very motivated, but we are always motivated. Even in Monza when we knew that we don't have a chance to win, we still want to get the best possible result."

Speaking to media at Marina Bay, Verstappen added, "We just focus on our own thing. People can write what they want. We have a good chance. I think if you look compared to last year the car definitely improved on our side... wait and see."

"It is difficult for me to say we will be the number one team because I haven't driven. We will know how good we are [on Friday]."