F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Verstappen: Flexi-wing TD 'won't hurt' Red Bull in Singapore

Max Verstappen says the technical directive recently issued by the FIA to F1 teams and that will come into force at this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix is unlikely to impact Red Bull's performance.

The sport's governing body has clarified the rules governing flexible bodywork in F1, with an emphasis on front and rear wing assemblies after the FIA suspected that some teams may have been exploiting a grey area of the rulebook.

In a nutshell, the FIA has reminded teams that "all aerodynamic components or bodywork influencing the car’s aerodynamic performance must be rigidly secured and immobile."

Asked at Marina Bay on Thursday if the directive could hinder Red Bull, Verstappen suggested that he had no concerns that the FIA's clampdown would impact the bulls' dominant RB19 this weekend.

"I don’t think it will," he said. "We never had any flexible front wing or whatever, so I don’t think it will hurt us."

However, the Dutchman thinks that Red Bull will be facing a tougher challenge than usual on the sweltering streets of Singapore.

"I think we just are not as competitive as at other tracks," he said. "The street circuits are a little bit tougher for our car.

"I still think that we can do a good job but it will be very tight."

©RedBull

Thanks to its unwavering supremacy this season, Red Bull is now on the verge of clinching F1's Constructors' title – the sixth in its history – with seven races to spare.

Verstappen says the remarkable achievement is a testimony to the quality of Red Bull's engineering rather than its execution.

"We always had quite a high level performance as a team but we just didn’t have that good a car I think up until this year," he said.

"Of course last year already the car was very good. The years before we were close, but winning here and there and not fighting for the constructors.

"But I think everything really came together, we understood this new regulation really well and when you have good people in every single position you can achieve something like you are witnessing right now."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Horner’s staggering payday after Red Bull exit revealed

Christian Horner lost his Red Bull empire during the summer of 2025, but it has…

4 hours ago

Vowles reveals Williams’ painful trade-off in bid to fix 2027

Williams boss James Vowles has offered a remarkably candid explanation for his team’s miserable 2026…

5 hours ago

Bottas completes epic 419km ride to Singapore

Valtteri Bottas has officially arrived in Singapore – although most F1 drivers would probably have…

7 hours ago

Marko hits back at Horner over explosive Verstappen claim

Christian Horner’s forthcoming autobiography has already reopened old wounds at Red Bull, and Helmut Marko…

8 hours ago

Wolff confirms Singapore engine penalty nightmare for Russell

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has confirmed that George Russell will be consigned to the…

10 hours ago

Brundle says FIA decision to reset Bahrain GP grid ‘smart and fair’

Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle has offered an incisive take on the bizarre formation lap…

11 hours ago