Lammers analyses GP without leading role Red Bull: 'Tour de France tactics'

For once, Max Verstappen was not on the top step of the podium. In Singapore, it was Carlos Sainz who took the victory. Former Formula1 driver Jan Lammers saw that Ferrari and Mercedes were by far the best in the city-state. The Dutchman looks ahead to next weekend in and at Suzuka.

"I think Suzuka will be a huge battle between those three big [teams] at the moment. Ferrari seemed to dominate this weekend, but this was really a weekend with Tour de France-like tactics and strategies," Lammers told the NOS Formula 1 podcast. "Carlos Sainz kept the pace as low as possible during the race but wanted to keep the lead to avoid giving the other teams the opportunity to undercut. They could not get rid of the speed others had because Sainz was temporising."

Verstappen better than Ferrari in Japan?

"Of course, we also had a Ferrari on pole in Monza," the former Formula One driver continued. "Ferrari is doing well, but Mercedes was probably the winning car in Singapore. I do just expect Max to be 'on top', but certainly not obvious, because I think he has to work very hard for it," he concludes.

The stakes are also high for Red Bull Racing at the next Grand Prix in Japan, as the Austrian racing stable can become constructors' champion on Sunday. Red Bull must manage one more point over the weekend in Japan than the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. Verstappen will have to wait a little longer, as he cannot become champion himself at Suzuka Circuit.