Highlights of Formula 1 in Singapore: Max Verstappen flirts with retirement – Sport

Max Verstappen has conquered his fear of the night Grand Prix, and a second place is enough for that. On the race track he was unable to put his friend and rival Lando Norris under pressure, as the McLaren got away from him too quickly, but his opponents have also realized that Red Bull is in the process of turning things around again: in four weeks a new underbody will be available for the RB20, and McLaren will be banned from using the flexible rear wing.

The 26-year-old Dutchman is not only in a power struggle, he is also behaving like a freedom fighter. After his deliberately silent protests in the media against the gag order, he is flirting with the idea of ​​retiring soon: “I am now in a phase of my career where you don’t want to constantly be dealing with silly things.” It is really exhausting. And for me it is no great feat to continue to play the sport, that’s for sure.”

Verstappen, who can become world champion for the fourth time in the series, has previously stressed that he does not want to drive forever just to break records. The events in Singapore have clearly left their mark beyond the heated emotions: “When enough is enough, enough is enough. Formula 1 will continue without me so that I don’t have a problem.” That sounds threatening, but it is a targeted message to the officials and to the Formula 1 management to give the drivers more freedom again. The talent of the millennium, Verstappen, is well aware of his position.

Mohammed Ben Sulaym

Respect, that’s all the president of the International Automobile Federation Fia wants. Above all from Formula 1 drivers. Unfortunately for the 62-year-old, the majority of the current generation of drivers is not as streamlined as many of the previous ones. Because they don’t want to be silenced, especially not in the heat of the moment over the pit radio. The Emirati Mohammed Ben Sulayem, that professional drivers don’t want to swear so often anymore, they’re not rappers. When Max Verstappen was just complaining about his own racing car in an official media round, the F-word slipped out. He was immediately given community service because his choice of words supposedly damaged the reputation of motorsport.

The defending champion then basically refused to comment in subsequent press conferences: He had to protect his voice; and he also did not want to risk another penalty.

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The majority of colleagues showed solidarity with the world champion when it came to the gag order: Lewis Hamilton spoke of a “joke” and recommended that Verstappen not serve the sentence: “I certainly wouldn’t do it.” The language police would first have to speak to the TV stations that sometimes broadcast recordings from the pit radio for information, but often for entertainment – they beep over any swear words anyway. The risk to young people is therefore limited, especially since Formula 1 has never wanted to be seen as politically overly correct. Everyone can live quite well with that and from that. Verstappen’s colleague Sergio Perez draws a comparison: “Imagine if a football player who gets kicked in the leg always had a microphone in front of his mouth…”

Lando Norris

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Lando Norris was close to having a perfect weekend if the fastest lap hadn’t been lost at the end. At McLaren, they think the interaction between Red Bull and Racing Bulls is fundamentally unfair, but Norris didn’t want to get upset about it – he doesn’t know it any other way. With 52 points to catch up in six races, it’s not easy for him, despite a brilliantly superior car. He thinks the question about his further strategy is “stupid” – he’s already doing everything he can: “But I’m up against the toughest opponents there has ever been in this sport.”

The 24-year-old looks like a bundle of nerves. He almost threw the papaya-colored car away three times while driving alone at the front. “I didn’t overdo it, sometimes you’re just too relaxed,” is his explanation. Or maybe too nervous? A budding champion can’t afford to make such careless mistakes very often. After his third Formula 1 victory, the highly self-critical Brit is already starting to count up where he gave away points this season: “I’m paying the price for that now.”

LewisHamilton

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Only one night separated the record world champion’s joy at finally having qualified properly and his crash in the race: he started third and finished sixth. Mercedes team-mate George Russell is doing a little better. He started and finished fourth. The capriciousness of the car and tires keeps setting the Silver Arrows back. It’s no real consolation that Ferrari exists. “Damage limitation” was Russell’s verdict on the tropical night. He and Hamilton subsequently canceled all interviews. “They’re overheated,” apologized team boss Toto Wolff.

The Austrian Wolff is known for his ruthless analysis, and he dismissed the wrong tire strategy: “We misread the race.” In fact, this time at Marina Bay there was no procession through city traffic, which is so feared in Monaco, it was more of an individual time trial. Hamilton, with his soft tire compound, was lost early on. Crossing the finish line almost a minute and a half behind the winner is not an option for a seven-time champion: “After such a difficult race, it is difficult to describe my emotions,” said the 39-year-old. “This year is quite a challenge for all of us.” Off to the ice bath.

Nico Hulkenberg

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No one has missed out on points as often this season as the man from Emmerich, finishing eleventh seven times. Just like in the race in Baku, when he lost his sure prize in the chaos of an accident just before the end. That was not to happen to him in Singapore, his sixth place on the grid with the customer Ferrari, way ahead of the factory team from Maranello, was already outstanding. Haas has often gone far backwards in the races so far, but the trend was stopped on Sunday: ninth place behind Fernando Alonso, ahead of Sergio Perez’s Red Bull. With these two points, Nico Hülkenberg made it into the top ten of the drivers’ championship and Haas, who were still a clear outsider before the season, is on the verge of sixth place in the overall standings.

At the beginning of the race, Hülkenberg was even able to keep up with Oscar Piastri’s McLaren, but later had to let the stronger Ferrari pass him. “I’m still happy, it’s compensation for Baku,” said Hülkenberg: “Clean start, clean race.”

Daniel Ricciardo

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He leaves with that broad smile that is his trademark. The fact that it was as broad as it had been during all of the 256 Formula 1 races before is also due to what was probably his last lap on a Grand Prix track. Daniel Ricciardo secured the fastest lap in the Racing Bull on brand new tires and took the extra point from Lando Norris. Support for big brother Red Bull, Max Verstappen publicly acknowledged this: “Thank you, Daniel!” The Australian was almost in tears after the Grand Prix, he has known for a week that he will be replaced by New Zealander Liam Lawson at the next race in Austin.

In terms of age, the 22-year-old Lawson is a better fit for a junior racing team than the now 35-year-old Ricciardo, who was hit by a form crisis at the end. A clause in the talent’s contract forced the Red Bull management to act now. It’s a shame about Ricciardo, a real, tough guy. But the man who was able to beat Sebastian Vettel in a direct duel at Red Bull in 2014 leaves with his head held high: “The fairytale comeback didn’t come true. But I’m proud of my 13 years.” If his lap record in Singapore helps Verstappen to the title, Ricciardo is looking forward to “an extra Christmas present.” The Dutchman is already promising: “You can wish for whatever you want.”

Valtteri Bottas

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Considering that Valteri Bottas is last in the Formula 1 drivers’ championship – with zero points – his confidence is still pretty intact. Before the latest zero in Singapore, the Finn even claimed that he was doing better than when he was at Mercedes. His ten Grand Prix victories come from the Silver Arrow era. Since joining the Sauber racing team, he has been lagging behind, only distinguished by his eccentric hairstyle or his excessive gravel bike riding. Nevertheless, the industry was surprised that there was another good chance of a contract extension. In Switzerland, they are already sneering at a “senior citizens’ home” next year if the 35-year-old actually becomes the partner of the 37-year-old Hülkenberg.

The trend is towards young drivers. The 21-year-old Argentinian Franco Colapinto (currently Williams) would be free, and the Brazilian Formula 2 talent Gabriel Bartoleto could be loaned out. One of the two could start his apprenticeship as the third man in 2025, perhaps putting Bottas under pressure. That does not seem consistent or courageous. The new boss Mattia Binotto is continuing to work on the future of the future Audi factory racing team. There is a lot of catching up to do. Playing it safe would be Bottas’s choice. He is simply a nice guy.