After Disappointing Qualifying Drama, Can Max Verstappen Bag the Championship in Singapore Anymore?

With 11 wins in 16 races, and a 116-point lead ahead of Charles Leclerc in P2, Max Verstappen might as well take the trophy home and celebrate. But Singapore remains a thorn in the side for Red Bull and him.

Marina Bay Street Circuit is one of the slowest tracks on the F1 circuit. Not just the lack of speed, but the insane climatic conditions make it the toughest race to win. A victory here could have sealed it for Max & Co.

Unfortunately, he could only finish P8 in qualifying, not for any fault of his own, but for a strategy mistake. Christian Horner and his team would surely have beaten themselves up over their miscalculation.

A victory, therefore, looks difficult as using the term “unlikely” for Mad Max would be wrong. In Singapore it is tough to make up places from the back of the grid. Overtaking is very tough, with its low-speed corners and short straights.

In case Max finds his way to the chequered flag before others on Sunday night, he could be declared the winner. However, there are conditions associated with that. Verstappen will only lift his second title in Singapore if Charles Leclerc finishes below P8 and Sergio Perez gets P3 or P4 with the fastest lap.

If Max gets the extra point for the fastest lap along with the victory, Leclerc and Perez will only be able to delay his victory if they are P7 and P3 (or better).

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As we know, he will be given a tough time by all in front. Getting ahead will not be a cakewalk, but it’s Max. He will not back down without a fight.

If Max Verstappen had to wait another week, Red Bull wouldn’t mind

Verstappen could have got pole position in qualifying the way he was flying in his final lap. The odds would have been heavily skewed in his favor, and celebrations would be on the books if he would have been starting from P1.

As things stand, numerous circumstances exist that would put a spanner in the works for Max. But Red Bull wouldn’t be so concerned if they had to wait until Suzuka for their 2nd win in 2 years.

Helmut Marko recently told ORF, “From a marketing point of view, winning the title would be better in Japan, because of our engine partner Honda.”

“But in general we can assume that Max will be World Champion. It’s just a question of when.”

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The words of the Austrian are true. Mad Max will want to win this Sunday night; for him, sooner is better. Can we see Leclerc and Perez make him wait, or will he do the unexpected?