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Verstappen’s Resurgence Faces Singapore Litmus Test as McLaren Target Constructors’ Title

Rivals now acknowledge Verstappen as a real threat following Red Bull’s upgrade‑fueled wins.

Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL38 Mercedes leads Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 and the rest of the field into turn one at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 22, 2024 in Singapore, Singapore.
Start, Circuit de Catalunya, 2024
McLaren have another chance to win the constructors' championship this weekend in Singapore. Image: XPB Images
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Overview

  • Championship picture: Oscar Piastri leads by 25 points over Lando Norris, with Max Verstappen 69 behind and seven grands prix plus three sprints remaining (199 points available).
  • McLaren can seal a 10th constructors’ crown on Sunday by scoring at least 13 points at Marina Bay after a rare off‑weekend in Baku.
  • Singapore’s high‑downforce, heat‑intense street circuit has been a weak spot for Red Bull, and Verstappen has never won there, heightening the significance of qualifying.
  • Verstappen says he is taking it race by race with “nothing to lose,” as Red Bull gauges whether its Monza floor upgrade and recent setup gains carry over to this layout.
  • Oscar Piastri says he has learned “tough lessons” from his Baku crashes that ended a 34‑race points streak, while Norris—last year’s Singapore winner—calls Verstappen “genuinely a challenger.”