Singapore serves as a 'benchmark' for Verstappen's championship aspirations.

      "He has effortlessly secured his recent victories."

      Max Verstappen arrives in Singapore in pursuit of victory at the only track on the current calendar where he has yet to reach the top podium position. Historically, Red Bull has faced challenges in the heat and low grip conditions of Marina Bay, but consecutive wins from pole position in Baku and Monza have boosted the Dutchman’s championship aspirations.

      "That will serve as a benchmark—how does the car perform under the high temperatures and low grip in Singapore?" Ralf Schumacher remarked to Sky Deutschland. "I don’t anticipate him competing for the win there, but I’ve been mistaken before," the German chuckled.

      Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko acknowledged to Austria’s Kronen Zeitung: "Unfortunately, it's not our car’s preferred circuit, and since we’ve won every race in 2023 except Singapore, we’ve experienced a bit of trauma there. However, he’s fully motivated again," the Austrian added, "and that counts for more than any technical update."

      Marko remains impressed by Verstappen’s skill—not only in Formula 1 but also in other motorsport disciplines. The 82-year-old witnessed the live stream as his protégé excelled in his GT3 debut at the Nurburgring.

      "He outperformed all the experts who exclusively drive these cars at this circuit throughout the year," Marko exclaimed. "In the rain, he was ten to fifteen seconds quicker than everyone else, and his start was outstanding."

      Looking towards Singapore, Marko believes Verstappen is still progressing. "He continues to advance and is far from reaching his peak," he elaborated. "He has attained his recent victories with remarkable ease. He’s becoming more composed without losing speed, and technically he is constantly improving."