Verstappen admits title bid unlikely after winless weekend

©RedBull

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Max Verstappen’s long-shot bid to defend his Formula 1 world championship may have finally run out of road under the floodlights of Singapore.

Despite another strong showing for Red Bull and a second-place finish, the Dutchman admitted the result has done little to keep his faint title hopes alive.

Arriving in Marina Bay fresh off back-to-back victories in Monza and Baku, Verstappen had reignited whispers of a late-season resurgence. Red Bull’s form had turned a corner, their RB21 rediscovering speed at circuits that once exposed its weaknesses.

Singapore, however, brought him back to earth. While George Russell and Mercedes delivered a commanding win, Verstappen had to settle for second – ahead of both McLaren drivers but still far short of the result he needed to make a dent in the Drivers’ standings.

When asked whether he still considered himself a title contender, Verstappen’s response was blunt.

“For that you need to win. You need to dominate,” he said.

“We’re not doing that, or at least we’re not doing that this weekend. So, we’re not catching up enough. For that you had to win today, and we didn’t.”

©RedBull

His realistic tone reflected the harsh arithmetic of the championship table. With just six rounds remaining, the deficit to leader Oscar Piastri now stands at 63 points.

Too Many Points Lost Early On

Still, Verstappen wasn’t wallowing in defeat. Instead, he sounded philosophical about both his own performance and Red Bull’s gradual return to competitiveness.

“Yeah, that’s how it is. We already lost way too many points in the beginning of the season. That’s quite clear, but we just try to see it race by race,” he added.

“We tried to do the best we can, this track is still not our favourite, I think also for the car, but nevertheless, second, I think, is still a great result.”

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Verstappen: Singapore GP 'more difficult than I hoped for'

That pragmatism has long been part of Verstappen’s formula. He knows the championship may be slipping through his fingers – but equally, he’s been around long enough to appreciate how quickly fortunes can swing in Formula 1.

And with Red Bull rediscovering its rhythm, even a distant title chase still offers something to fight for: pride, victories, and the chance to remind the paddock that he’s never truly out of it until the final flag falls.

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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.