Verstappen Reflects on Russell's Singapore GP Mishap
Max Verstappen empathized with George Russell after the latter's crash in the Singapore GP sprint race, describing it as an understandable error in tricky conditions. Despite a poor start, Verstappen regained the lead when Russell spun out, ultimately securing victory.
Max Verstappen found himself leading the Singapore GP sprint after George Russell's unfortunate exit due to a crash. The Red Bull driver showed some camaraderie, remarking that the conditions made it an easy mistake to make. The race had already been delayed by a half-hour due to heavy rain, with drivers starting on Intermediate tires.
Once the race finally began, Verstappen's typically sluggish start allowed Russell's Mercedes to take the lead at Turn 1. "Like always, it just doesn’t go off the line," Verstappen commented, referencing Red Bull's recurring issues with race starts.
However, the lead was short-lived for Russell, who spun into the wall exiting the last corner. Verstappen noted that Russell had already been struggling with the car's stability on the damp track, observing, "He was sideways already a few times in that first lap, so I think he was just pushing quite hard." Russell's misfortune was Verstappen's gain, as he found himself in a prime position with the spray from the wet track making visibility difficult for those behind.
Verstappen then built a comfortable lead over the Ferraris, finishing 2.5 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton. He described the conditions as a mix of wet and dry patches, requiring careful tire management. "You never know what is the best way, but at the end of the day, I think the way we managed it was enough to win it," he said.
The Red Bull driver is now looking forward to qualifying for the main Grand Prix, eager to fight for pole position despite the team's consistent struggles with race starts. "I want to, of course, try and fight for pole again," Verstappen said, acknowledging the competitive field. Yet, he remains concerned about Red Bull's starting issues, hoping to find a solution.
Overall, Verstappen's performance in Singapore highlighted both the challenges of wet-weather racing and the ongoing quest for improvements in race starts. As he aims for his first Singapore GP win, the pressure is on to convert qualifying speed into race-day success.