Ben Hunt is an award-winning motorsport journalist with over two decades of experience in Formula 1 and international media. As a former editor-in-chief and bestselling author, he delivers in-depth analysis and strategic insight from the highest level of the sport.
Max Verstappen has singled out the race start as a decisive moment in Singapore after an unexpected boost in confidence on the soft compound helped salvage a positive conclusion to his Friday running.
The reigning World Champion admitted Red Bull had arrived facing familiar challenges around the Marina Bay Street Circuit, struggling for ride quality and compliance over the kerbs and bumps.
However, a switch to the soft tyre compound in the final phase of Sprint Qualifying transformed the balance of the car, providing Verstappen with the platform he needed to deliver a competitive lap time.
While pleased with the turnaround, the Dutchman remains cautious about what lies ahead, pointing directly to the launch off the line as the most critical hurdle to navigate before full focus shifts back to Grand Prix qualifying.
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"I think so, yeah," Verstappen said when asked about the step forward. "We have some difficulties with the car in ride, as we know. But at least once we went to the soft tyre, it just felt like, because of the increase in grip, it just made the car a bit more stable in places where before you were a bit unsure.
"I did not expect this, but yeah, we take it. I'm happy for sure."
Despite the encouraging result in Sprint Qualifying, Verstappen was quick to stress that the job is far from done, with the start of the Sprint race serving as a vital flashpoint on a circuit where overtaking in traffic remains notoriously difficult.
"Qualifying is still the main goal tomorrow," Verstappen explained. "Also for us, I think tomorrow at the start is always a critical point. So we have to wait and see, and then we'll just do our best, see what happens, but it is at least a positive end to the day."
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