Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda look ahead to the Singapore Grand Prix, a crucial race and potential turning point in Red Bull Racing's season. Verstappen arrives at Singapore fresh off the back of two back-to-back wins in Italy and Azerbaijan which have helped him close the gap to Oscar Piastri down from 104 to 69 points.
"The last two races have been great for the Team," Verstappen said. "We have made really strong progress, found a positive set up with the car and are heading in the right direction."
Of course, Red Bull's revival comes with a caveat. "Both were low downforce tracks that we performed well at," and "the Singapore circuit is quite different, so will be more of a test," Verstappen acknowledges.
"It is quite a physically demanding track for all drivers and in this race it is about really getting comfortable with the uncomfortable."
Verstappen's unfinished business
Verstappen has never reached the chequered flag in first place under the
Marina Bay Street Circuit's night lights, an "unfinished business" the Dutchman confidently claims.
"It is a cool street circuit to drive but, of course, I have never won there so you could say there is unfinished business.
"We need a strong Team performance so looking forward to what the week brings," Verstappen concluded.
Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda in Azerbaijan - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
Tsunoda sees hard work pay off
Yuki Tsunoda recorded his best result so far this season with a P6 on the streets of Baku. "Last time out was super positive for the Team and myself," the Japanese driver said.
"It feels like I’m moving in a positive direction with the car and the hard work we have all been putting in is paying off across the race weekend.
Tsunoda also sees that very different challenges await him and Red Bull at Singapore.
"Baku is obviously quite a unique circuit and Singapore will be very different for us and could pose some challenges.
"There’s so many things that come into play there, the humidity, the night race, the street circuit - it’s one of the biggest tests we have as drivers. But, that’s what makes it fun and I enjoy preparing for it and racing there.
Verstappen's teammate reveals he was recently at Milton Keynes, and the team's dedication to improve the results achieved on track fuels Tsunoda's fire to succeed out on track.
"I’ve been in the factory ahead of this one, and spent some time with everyone at the race debrief, seeing how many people are putting work into making a difference on track is incredible and makes you want to push harder.
"Then I had a stop off in Tokyo with Red Bull, before coming to Singapore and being with my home fans is another huge motivation that I’ll take into this weekend," Tsunoda concluded.
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