Max Verstappen takes a jab at McLaren in Singapore: “They were faster, but I kept them behind”. Max Verstappen finished second at the Singapore Grand Prix.

The Formula 1 paddock left Singapore with a collective headache after a Grand Prix that overturned almost every pre-race prediction. Many expected McLaren to be untouchable, followed by Ferrari, which Charles Leclerc had suggested would have the upper hand over Mercedes due to the high track temperatures. Instead, it was Mercedes that emerged dominant, while Ferrari struggled badly. Even Red Bull, traditionally not at ease on the Asian circuit, managed to defend itself well thanks to Max Verstappen.

The Dutch driver finished in a surprising second place, clawing back valuable points on the McLaren duo in a World Championship fight from which he certainly cannot be ruled out. Speaking to the media after the race, the four-time world champion highlighted the positives of what had been a complicated weekend — while also taking a subtle dig at his rivals. “I don’t think we had the fastest car today, but at the same time McLaren were quicker and we managed to keep them behind. We achieved the best possible result given the circumstances. With the conditions we had, we can accept that,” Max Verstappen told Sky Sport.

He also admitted that the car wasn’t performing at its best: “Today the car wasn’t great — we had some problems with the gears and downshifts, which made it too difficult to deliver a strong performance,” Max Verstappen explained.