Hakkinen thinks it's make or break for Verstappen at the Singapore GP

Verstappen is going through one of the worst spells he has had in a Red Bull car. Since 2021, not too many races would go by without the Dutchman finding the top step of the podium. The start of 2024 went that way too, but now, he is looking for his first win since the Spanish Grand Prix.

With his results and pace both regressing, it's allowed Lando Norris to close the gap in the drivers' standings to 59 points, a gap that at one stage looked almost impossible for the Brit to close.

In his column, Hakkinen therefore says, "The question now is whether Lando [Norris], Charles [Leclerc] or even Oscar [Piastri] can challenge Max in the World Drivers' Championship. I believe they can because while McLaren and Ferrari have developed speed and consistency, Red Bull are looking a little fragile and they cannot afford to keep having difficult weekends."

'Verstappen needs to be on the podium in Singapore'

Red Bull have also been overtaken by McLaren in the constructors' championship, highlighting the need for a big result for Verstappen at the Marina Bay Circuit. Hakkinen continued by saying: "Max needs to be back on the podium this weekend, a win for Lando would put him within striking distance of the Drivers’ title and, with six Grands Prix after Singapore, this championship has a long way to go."

This article was created in collaboration with Cas van de Kleut