Max Verstappen has praised race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase after overcoming a radio problem to complete a dominant Singapore Grand Prix weekend, while Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies believes the team’s recent progress can keep it in contention at the front in the races ahead.
After spending much of the season in an uncertain position, Verstappen and Red Bull have emphatically returned to winning form. Technical development has begun to deliver the desired results, with two victories from the last two Grands Prix and a clean sweep of both poles and both wins during the Singapore Sprint weekend.
Max Verstappen says winning is harder than in 2023
The Verstappen seen over the last two weeks has strongly resembled the driver who dominated Formula 1 during his championship-winning seasons. After taking pole position and victory in Malaysia, the four-time world champion repeated the feat in Singapore.
At Marina Bay, Verstappen again appeared fully at ease with the RB22 and controlled the Grand Prix from the front. The only significant on-track threat came from Charles Leclerc, who drew alongside in the opening metres after making a strong start.
“We had a few problems with energy management in the opening laps, which is why Charles was so close,” Max Verstappen explained to Sky Sport.
“Once we sorted that out, everything was more straightforward. I was able to manage the tyres well and build a good enough gap to avoid undercuts from the drivers behind me.”
Asked whether his current form reminded him of 2023, Verstappen stopped short of making a direct comparison.
“Almost. I’d like to be able to say that, but it is more difficult to win today than it was that year.”
Verstappen finally takes first Singapore Grand Prix victory
The win was Verstappen’s first at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, ending a long wait at one of the few venues where he had previously never stood on the top step of the podium.
“It is special to be able to stand on the top step. We have raced here many times, but there had been several missed opportunities,” Verstappen said after the chequered flag.
Although the race was comfortable from a performance perspective, it was not completely trouble-free. Verstappen again had to cope with a malfunctioning radio during the Grand Prix.
“We had to manage a few problems, such as the radio not working, but GP [Gianpiero Lambiase] did a great job. It felt like he knew all the time what I needed to ask him.”
“It was nice to share the victory with him and with the team.”
Lambiase joined Verstappen on the podium after the race, adding an emotional dimension to the Dutchman’s first Singapore victory.
Red Bull turnaround continues after Baku upgrade
The Singapore result continued a major change in Red Bull’s season. The technical package introduced in Baku has so far helped Verstappen take the maximum available result across the last two race weekends.
The momentum is encouraging not only for the final phase of the 2026 season but also for Red Bull’s preparations for the following year.
“We have performed well on different layouts, which is encouraging, so we think that if we execute properly we can also fight at the front in the next races,” Laurent Mekies told Sky UK.
“We will see how the competition evolves, but the important thing is to keep learning as a team. Even in a weekend with two poles and two victories, there are many things we can improve.”
“That is the Red Bull spirit: trying to improve and taking every opportunity to learn, both for this year and for next year.”
Laurent Mekies highlights Red Bull responsibility towards Verstappen
The positive run has also followed Verstappen’s decision to renew his commitment to Red Bull towards the end of the summer.
Mekies stressed that the confidence shown by the four-time world champion has created an additional sense of responsibility within the team.
“We have taken the trust Max has placed in all of us very seriously,” the French team principal said.
“It is extraordinary to have that level of confidence from him, but it also gives us a great responsibility towards him, and that is what motivates us.”
“We have a brutally honest relationship with him. That is how we approach racing, and that will not change.”
Red Bull therefore leaves Singapore with two clear positives: Verstappen appears increasingly comfortable with the RB22, and the development direction chosen by the team is producing stronger results across different circuits.
The next challenge will be proving that this resurgence can continue beyond the recent sequence of races. But after back-to-back victories and a complete sweep of the Singapore weekend, Red Bull once again looks capable of fighting at the front on a consistent basis.
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