F1 pundit not buying Red Bull’s concerns about Singapore Grand Prix
Giedo van der Garde has all but scoffed at Max Verstappen’s claims winning in Singapore will be a “little bit more difficult” for Red Bull as the World Champ looks to extend his winning streak to 11.
Verstappen made history last time out at the Italian Grand Prix when he recorded his 10th win on the trot breaking Sebastian Vettel’s 2013 record.
He, though, was quick to downplay the prospect of extending that to 11 at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen wary of ‘difficult’ weekend for Red Bull in Singapore
“A little bit more difficult, I think for us,” he said. “But we’ll see. We’ll do our best, and of course, we’ll try to go in there and try to win it again.
“But it’s not, let’s say, going to be the strongest weekend for us.”
However, Van der Garde reckons such is Verstappen’s superiority this season in the Red Bull RB19,the Dutchman up to 12 wins for the season, that confidence alone could carry him through to win number 13.
“The fact that it is a new record is of course great,” the former F1 driver turned Viaplay analyst said as per Motorsport.com.
“I know how difficult it is to even get there, to win a race and to win a championship. And Max just manages to win ten races in a row. Yes, that is simply unprecedented.
“I always say, he has so much confidence, it comes so easily to him. I think it’s great to see what we are experiencing now in the Netherlands with those ten victories.
“Where will it stop? He could make it 13 or 14.”
“看,the confidence is there,” Van der Garde continued. “Singapore is of course coming, that is not his favourite circuit. But on the other hand, there is so much confidence, he is doing well.
“And he does it in such a superior way that it could really go on and on.
“So instead of him raising 10 fingers in a moment, he only has to raise two fingers then he makes 11. Or, you know, he can walk to Perez’s car, which of course has number 11. So yes, I think he will take a few more.”
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Van der Garde ‘expects’ Red Bull to win in Singapore
Sergio Perez, though, could be one of Verstappen’s toughest rivals at the Marina Bay circuit with the Mexican driver known for his ability on street circuits.
Last season he won the Singapore Grand Prix ahead of pole-sitter Charles Leclerc while Verstappen, who had issues in qualifying, finished down in seventh place after a scruffy grand prix by his high standards.
“Mercedes will be strong there, McLaren will be strong there, Perez will be strong there,” Van der Garde said. “So he just has to be able to drive a perfect lap in qualifying. His team should not break him down.”
“I think we have seen before this year that they [Red Bull] are very strong on street circuits. Monaco, Baku. They have already won everything this year. I expect them to win there again and that it will be a there will be a battle between Verstappen and his teammate.
“If Perez has a good day, he can win. But if Perez has a bit of an off-day and Max has a world day, he can easily stand with two fingers.”
Verstappen will line up at the Singapore Grand Prix grid 145 points ahead of Perez in theDrivers’ Championship.
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