Verstappen vows to defy Red Bull's wet-start advice after Singapore and Malaysia struggles

Max Verstappen has warned Red Bull he will take matters into his own hands at future wet-weather starts after the team’s gear-selection advice contributed to sluggish getaways at both the Malaysian and Singapore Grands Prix.

Verstappen started from second gear on both occasions — a common practice in F1 wet conditions — but rivals including George Russell opted for first gear, allowing them to spool the turbo more effectively with the 2026-spec power units and beat the world champion off the line. Verstappen described his sprint-race start in Singapore as “horrendous” and cautioned immediately afterwards that a repeat in Sunday’s grand prix could cost Red Bull the win.

Speaking to Dutch media in the Singapore paddock, Verstappen made clear he would not simply follow the same instruction if wet conditions returned. “In Malaysia, it was a different problem. That problem was added on top of everything else, which meant starting in second gear didn’t work properly there,” he said, adding that the team had carried the approach into Singapore with similarly disappointing results.

The admission comes despite Verstappen topping every meaningful session across the Singapore weekend — sprint qualifying, the sprint race itself and regular qualifying — a remarkable return at a street circuit that has repeatedly exposed Red Bull’s weaknesses in recent seasons. Yet the Dutchman remained characteristically unsatisfied. “No, because of course it isn’t perfect,” he said when asked why he did not appear fully content. “There’s always more to be found and I always want to get more out of it.”

The Singapore race also marks two significant personal milestones for Verstappen: his 250th Formula 1 grand prix start and his 50th pole position. The latter places him in the company of just four other drivers — Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna and Sebastian Vettel — to have reached that landmark. Verstappen, however, was quick to downplay the significance. “That’s not why I do this. I take it one weekend at a time and always try to get the maximum out of it. Whether that’s number 50, 55 or 45 — the more, the better, of course, but it’s not something I’m going to dwell on.”

Beyond the start, Verstappen also flagged imperfect downshifts as a secondary concern from Saturday running, though the launch procedure remains the more pressing issue heading into the race. With Red Bull’s championship lead under pressure, a clean getaway from pole could prove decisive on a circuit where overtaking opportunities are among the most limited on the calendar.