The two papaya-colored McLarens, once seen as unbeatable, will line up behind Verstappen for Sunday’s race at Marina Bay. But the team’s decision to halt development of the MCL39 may now be showing its first cracks. Even more, Oscar Piastri has qualified ahead of Lando Norris, a detail that could weigh heavily if Andrea Stella is forced to choose one driver to lead McLaren’s defense against the Red Bull threat.
During the final moments of Q3, Verstappen accused Norris of unsporting behavior. The Dutchman had been pushing hard on his last flying lap, trying to snatch provisional pole position from George Russell. He crossed the braking zone into Turn 16 just a hundredth of a second behind the Mercedes driver’s benchmark time. However, mid-corner, Verstappen lost the ideal line and his chances of taking pole evaporated.
Moments later, his radio message made headlines. Verstappen was furious with Norris, who was then entering the pit lane. According to the Red Bull driver, Norris had intentionally slowed before Turn 16, slipping in just ahead of him and creating “dirty air,” which Verstappen believed caused a loss of downforce on his car.
Norris, for his part, brushed off the accusation with a touch of irony. “It’s Red Bull,” he said. “They complain about everything. I don’t know what he’s talking about — I was at least three seconds ahead. But again, they always find something to moan about.”
Hours later, Verstappen appeared to have moved on. There was, after all, plenty to be optimistic about. Heading into the weekend, Marina Bay had been labeled as McLaren territory — so much so that after the Baku victory, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko had stated: “If we’re ahead of McLaren even in Singapore, then yes, we can start thinking about the championship.” Verstappen has now placed himself in an ideal position to make that statement come true.
The 62 laps around the Marina Bay street circuit are among the most challenging in the entire Formula 1 calendar, but starting from second place still offers every chance to aim for victory. Verstappen knows that strategy, tire management, and precision in traffic will all play a decisive role in the outcome of Sunday’s race.
Meanwhile, inside McLaren, some uncertainty is creeping in. While the team’s recent performances at Monza and Baku had shown strength, Singapore revealed the first hints of stagnation. Team principal Andrea Stella explained why: “We stopped developing the car some time ago because our full focus is now on the 2026 project. We brought small updates to Monza, but beyond that, our attention has been entirely on next year’s car, while some of our rivals continue to introduce upgrades. Red Bull, for instance, brought a new front wing here and a revised floor in Monza.”
It’s not an emergency, but McLaren’s early decision to pause development could become risky if Red Bull’s momentum continues to grow. For now, the team can rely on the cushion of points they have built up in the championship standings, allowing them to manage the situation without panic. However, should Verstappen close the gap, the idea of using team orders to maximize results — unthinkable just a month ago — may soon become a reality.
That’s why Saturday’s qualifying result carries particular weight. Oscar Piastri will start ahead of Lando Norris, which could be crucial if the team needs to prioritize one driver in its strategy. If the Australian delivers another strong performance and finishes ahead once again, McLaren’s choice on whom to back in the final part of the season may already be made.
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