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Max Verstappen on second place in F1 Singapore Grand Prix

Did Verstappen fear being lapped by Lando Norris? 'Gap increased quickly'

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  • Nicole Mulder

Given the circumstances in the Singapore Grand Prix, Max Verstappen managed to limit the damage as much as possible. However, the Red Bull Racing driver is less pleased with the gap to McLaren. Lando Norris was rapid around the Marina Bay Street Circuit and Verstappen knows the Red Bull team have a lot of work to do.

Verstappen reacts to his P2 finish

Is the championship leader happy with second place? "Yes and no," he replied to Viaplay's question. "This circuit doesn't suit us anyway. And in general, of course, I think McLaren is just a bit stronger. So yes, then P2 is actually more than the maximum. Because you're still keeping one of their cars behind you."

Verstappen explained that the feeling in the RB20 was not great. "It was tricky. Too much tyre degradation, especially on the rear tyres. As a result, I couldn't really attack the corner either. Coming out of the corners, I just couldn't bring the speed, so I lost a lot of time there. Over the bumps and kerbs it didn't go very well either," the Dutchman continued.

Did Verstappen really think Norris was going to lap him?

Verstappen is also asked about a moment in the cooldown room where he told Lando Norris he was afraid he was going to lap him. "That was a joke," the reigning world champion clarified. "But at one point, the gap did increase very quickly of course."

This article has been created in collaboration with Matt Gretton