Verstappen rues lost shot at pole after messy final lap in Singapore qualifying

Written by Kavi Khandelwal

A frustrated Max Verstappen believes a clear shot at pole position for the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix was taken from him after a final sector encounter with Lando Norris. Despite the setback, the reigning world champion remained positive about his car's overall performance, highlighting the team's strong pace at a high-downforce circuit where they have previously struggled.

Credit: Formula One

Speaking after the session, Verstappen expressed satisfaction with his Red Bull, noting its solid performance throughout the weekend was a promising sign.

He said: “Good, it's very good. I mean the whole weekend has been very solid. The car has been working very well. I mean like the last two weekends really you know and for us to be you know this competitive and qualifying on a track like this with high downforce is very promising.”

However, his final flying lap was compromised as he approached Turn 16. He encountered Norris’ McLaren, which was on an in-lap, and felt the British driver got unnecessarily close, disrupting the clean air and robbing his car of crucial downforce.

“When I arrived to turn 16 I had a car two, three seconds in front of me and you can't have that,” Verstappen explained. “I mean that's just what happened and you lose downforce as simple as that and that cost me at least a shot at pole.”

Credit: Formula One

Norris, however, dismissed the complaint and was puzzled by the accusation, suggesting it was typical from his rival's team.

"They complain about everything. That's Red Bull," Norris stated after the session. "I don't even know. I was like three seconds ahead. I can't work it out."

While Verstappen conceded that pole-sitter George Russell’s first lap was strong, he was firm in his belief that the potential to beat it was within his grasp before the incident with Norris.

He concluded: “It wasn't going to be very close but nevertheless I think you know George had a really strong first lap and I knew that that was anyway going to be tough to beat but the potential was definitely there.”