"I truly believe Mercedes will be leading the way." Max Verstappen anticipates that Mercedes will have an advantage when the new regulations for Formula 1 come into effect next year. Although Toto Wolff made a strong effort to attract the four-time world champion, Verstappen ultimately decided to remain with Red Bull, despite Christian Horner's departure and the uncertainties surrounding the team's internal power unit project. "Next year will be challenging with our own engine, of course," Verstappen mentioned to Sky Deutschland. "That poses a new risk for Red Bull, but they accepted that risk by entering Formula 1, and they've performed quite well." He did not dismiss the possibility that Mercedes might dominate again, similar to their performance in 2014 when the hybrid rules were introduced. "It’s hard to say," Verstappen continued. "I truly believe Mercedes will be at the front. They are consistently strong and always competitive. They’re a leading company, so I do think they’ll be ahead, especially regarding the engine." Nonetheless, he emphasized that Red Bull is fully committed to the challenge. "We are definitely giving our all. I hope we will be close, but of course, I can’t be certain." In a separate interview with Viaplay during the Singapore GP weekend, Verstappen was asked about Red Bull's sudden performance improvement following Horner’s departure and Laurent Mekies’ arrival. When questioned if anything specific had changed, he smiled and said, "Yes. But nobody needs to know that." When the interviewer expressed regret for probing further, Verstappen replied, "That's fine. It doesn’t matter, because I’m not going to reveal anything. The key thing is that we’re performing better." While he is no longer entirely out of the championship race, Verstappen acknowledges that winning a fifth consecutive drivers’ title is unlikely. "I’m not too worried about it," he admitted. "I already have a lot on my plate that I enjoy. I just show up at the track and do my best. There may be a chance, and I’m trying to make the most of it, but I'm not concerned about it."

"I truly believe Mercedes will be leading the way." Max Verstappen anticipates that Mercedes will have an advantage when the new regulations for Formula 1 come into effect next year. Although Toto Wolff made a strong effort to attract the four-time world champion, Verstappen ultimately decided to remain with Red Bull, despite Christian Horner's departure and the uncertainties surrounding the team's internal power unit project. "Next year will be challenging with our own engine, of course," Verstappen mentioned to Sky Deutschland. "That poses a new risk for Red Bull, but they accepted that risk by entering Formula 1, and they've performed quite well." He did not dismiss the possibility that Mercedes might dominate again, similar to their performance in 2014 when the hybrid rules were introduced. "It’s hard to say," Verstappen continued. "I truly believe Mercedes will be at the front. They are consistently strong and always competitive. They’re a leading company, so I do think they’ll be ahead, especially regarding the engine." Nonetheless, he emphasized that Red Bull is fully committed to the challenge. "We are definitely giving our all. I hope we will be close, but of course, I can’t be certain." In a separate interview with Viaplay during the Singapore GP weekend, Verstappen was asked about Red Bull's sudden performance improvement following Horner’s departure and Laurent Mekies’ arrival. When questioned if anything specific had changed, he smiled and said, "Yes. But nobody needs to know that." When the interviewer expressed regret for probing further, Verstappen replied, "That's fine. It doesn’t matter, because I’m not going to reveal anything. The key thing is that we’re performing better." While he is no longer entirely out of the championship race, Verstappen acknowledges that winning a fifth consecutive drivers’ title is unlikely. "I’m not too worried about it," he admitted. "I already have a lot on my plate that I enjoy. I just show up at the track and do my best. There may be a chance, and I’m trying to make the most of it, but I'm not concerned about it."

      Carlos Sainz believes that his former Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, is the fastest driver in Formula 1 in terms of raw qualifying speed, even more so than Max Verstappen. In an interview with Spanish radio station El Partidazo de COPE, the Williams driver was asked who he considers to be the quickest on the current grid.

      "For me, Charles Leclerc is the quickest man over a single lap," Sainz stated. "When it comes to pure speed, it would likely be a contest between Charles and Lando Norris."

      When asked about Verstappen's recent success and reputation, Sainz replied, "It also depends a bit on the car the drivers are in. I suppose no one would be quicker than Max in the Red Bull. He knows that car inside and out. The same applies to George Russell in the Mercedes. It would be quite challenging to step into a Mercedes and outpace Russell."

      However, Sainz acknowledged that over an entire race distance, Verstappen remains unparalleled. "No one would finish ahead of Verstappen over a full race," he conceded.

      In the same interview, Sainz was asked lighter questions about his competitors. When asked who the most dangerous driver is, he said, "Considering the recent incidents, I’d pick (Liam) Lawson."

      As for the rudest driver, Sainz chuckled and responded, "It’s hard to say. Have mercy on me! We have corporate ethics. I’ll tell you later, and then I’ll see him at the drivers’ briefing!"

"I truly believe Mercedes will be leading the way." Max Verstappen anticipates that Mercedes will have an advantage when the new regulations for Formula 1 come into effect next year. Although Toto Wolff made a strong effort to attract the four-time world champion, Verstappen ultimately decided to remain with Red Bull, despite Christian Horner's departure and the uncertainties surrounding the team's internal power unit project. "Next year will be challenging with our own engine, of course," Verstappen mentioned to Sky Deutschland. "That poses a new risk for Red Bull, but they accepted that risk by entering Formula 1, and they've performed quite well." He did not dismiss the possibility that Mercedes might dominate again, similar to their performance in 2014 when the hybrid rules were introduced. "It’s hard to say," Verstappen continued. "I truly believe Mercedes will be at the front. They are consistently strong and always competitive. They’re a leading company, so I do think they’ll be ahead, especially regarding the engine." Nonetheless, he emphasized that Red Bull is fully committed to the challenge. "We are definitely giving our all. I hope we will be close, but of course, I can’t be certain." In a separate interview with Viaplay during the Singapore GP weekend, Verstappen was asked about Red Bull's sudden performance improvement following Horner’s departure and Laurent Mekies’ arrival. When questioned if anything specific had changed, he smiled and said, "Yes. But nobody needs to know that." When the interviewer expressed regret for probing further, Verstappen replied, "That's fine. It doesn’t matter, because I’m not going to reveal anything. The key thing is that we’re performing better." While he is no longer entirely out of the championship race, Verstappen acknowledges that winning a fifth consecutive drivers’ title is unlikely. "I’m not too worried about it," he admitted. "I already have a lot on my plate that I enjoy. I just show up at the track and do my best. There may be a chance, and I’m trying to make the most of it, but I'm not concerned about it."

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"I truly believe Mercedes will be leading the way." Max Verstappen anticipates that Mercedes will have an advantage when the new regulations for Formula 1 come into effect next year. Although Toto Wolff made a strong effort to attract the four-time world champion, Verstappen ultimately decided to remain with Red Bull, despite Christian Horner's departure and the uncertainties surrounding the team's internal power unit project. "Next year will be challenging with our own engine, of course," Verstappen mentioned to Sky Deutschland. "That poses a new risk for Red Bull, but they accepted that risk by entering Formula 1, and they've performed quite well." He did not dismiss the possibility that Mercedes might dominate again, similar to their performance in 2014 when the hybrid rules were introduced. "It’s hard to say," Verstappen continued. "I truly believe Mercedes will be at the front. They are consistently strong and always competitive. They’re a leading company, so I do think they’ll be ahead, especially regarding the engine." Nonetheless, he emphasized that Red Bull is fully committed to the challenge. "We are definitely giving our all. I hope we will be close, but of course, I can’t be certain." In a separate interview with Viaplay during the Singapore GP weekend, Verstappen was asked about Red Bull's sudden performance improvement following Horner’s departure and Laurent Mekies’ arrival. When questioned if anything specific had changed, he smiled and said, "Yes. But nobody needs to know that." When the interviewer expressed regret for probing further, Verstappen replied, "That's fine. It doesn’t matter, because I’m not going to reveal anything. The key thing is that we’re performing better." While he is no longer entirely out of the championship race, Verstappen acknowledges that winning a fifth consecutive drivers’ title is unlikely. "I’m not too worried about it," he admitted. "I already have a lot on my plate that I enjoy. I just show up at the track and do my best. There may be a chance, and I’m trying to make the most of it, but I'm not concerned about it."

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