Sports · Motorsport · 2 days ago
Verstappen and Red Bull review start strategy after Singapore sprint
Max Verstappen is competing in his 250th Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Singapore weekend and has taken his 50th pole position.
He has led the major sessions so far, but said his performance is not yet perfect.
His start in Saturday’s sprint race was a concern, and he called it “horrendous.”
Verstappen has also had poor and inconsistent starts this year, including in wet conditions in Malaysia and Singapore.
At both events, Red Bull advised him to start in second gear, while some rivals used first gear to get away more effectively with the 2026 power units.
Verstappen said the second-gear choice did not work well in Malaysia and was still not good enough in Singapore.
Red Bull will pay close attention to the start before Sunday’s race, where two Ferraris are lined up behind him and are described as strong starters this season.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull are reviewing their start strategy after poor starts in Malaysia and Singapore.
Verstappen started the Singapore sprint in second gear and lost ground to George Russell, who used first gear.
The Dutch driver said the sprint start was not good enough and warned that a repeat could cost Red Bull the race.
He said the team’s second-gear choice had not worked as hoped in Singapore.
Verstappen had taken pole position and led the significant sessions held so far in Singapore.
- Who
- Max Verstappen and the Red Bull team.
- What
- They are reviewing the approach to race starts after problems in Malaysia and Singapore.
- When
- The Singapore Grand Prix weekend in 2026, after Saturday’s sprint.
- Where
- Singapore, with a previous start problem also reported at Sepang in Malaysia.
- Why
- Verstappen’s start in the sprint was not good enough, and he said a repeat could cost Red Bull the race.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Verstappen started in second gear in wet conditions, but a separate problem meant the choice did not work properly.
Verstappen started the sprint in second gear and was beaten off the line by George Russell, who used first gear.
Verstappen said the team’s second-gear approach was still not good enough and the start would need close attention.
Verstappen was due to start with two Ferraris immediately behind him, and the start was expected to be under scrutiny.
- Milestone
- Verstappen was contesting his 250th Formula 1 Grand Prix
- Pole positions
- Verstappen claimed his 50th pole position
- Sprint start
- Verstappen started in second gear
- Rival at the start
- George Russell used first gear and beat Verstappen off the line
- Next race
- The Singapore Grand Prix was scheduled for Sunday
What people are saying
No, because of course it isn't perfect. There's always more to be found and I always want to get more out of it. That's what we'll keep working on.
My start was actually quite okay compared to most of the others, just not compared to George and Lewis.
Yes, you just know they will have good starts. They've been like that all season.
Sources
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