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Red Bull not expecting Monaco repeat in Singapore

Published on 10 Sep 2018 10:10
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By: Fergal Walsh

Red Bull drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen do next expect to fight Mercedes and Ferrari in Singapore this weekend as closely as they did in Monaco earlier this season.

The energy drink team was the fastest car on that particular weekend, with Ricciardo taking his second career pole position, before taking the race win while nursing an engine problem. Last time out in Italy, Ricciardo took an engine penalty to optimise his chances at the Marina Bay street circuit.

Despite the track having similar characteristics to Monaco, Ricciardo thinks that the team will face a big challenge to come out on top: “I feel [Ferrari] have improved since Monaco,” said Ricciardo. “I think we’ve improved, but not as much as them.

“Obviously Monaco we had a little bit of room on them but Singapore’s probably not as strong as Monaco for us and then with that I would probably say Ferrari is the favourite going into Singapore but we’ll see. Hopefully it’s close enough," the Australian added.

Verstappen put himself out of contention for glory in Monaco after he crashed in the final practice session, which ruled him out of qualifying. The Dutchman has picked up one victory this season, which came at Red Bull's home race in Austria.

The 20-year-old believes that Mercedes and Ferrari will have the better of Red Bull in Monaco, and hopes that it can be within half a second behind: “I think it will never be as good as Monaco was,” he said. “For sure we will be closer in Singapore a lot of results are possible in the race with Safety Cars, strategy.

"Maybe the pole position is going to be a bit more difficult because they’ve made quite big steps with the engines – I’m expecting [this] also in Singapore, there are still quite a few straights where they can make a difference. But if we can be within three or four tenths that will be good.”

boudy

Posts: 1,168

Win is possible for them but I only see Max winning. Ricciardo has has such an bad run he needs to get near the podium first and get his points turning over. Added with the dynamic that he is leaving the team he will be now be getting less than equal opportunities within the team, Not sure what ... [Read more]

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Sep 11 2018 - 10:13

F1 News Max Verstappen Daniel Ricciardo Eloy Room Mercedes Ferrari

Replies (3)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
But surely a Singapore win should be possible for them?
- + 0
- Sep 10 2018 - 22:02
KyalamiKid

Posts: 146
Downplay... last time they were hopeful (Hungary) it didnt really go their way.
They should be in with a chance to win for sure, their racepace has been really good lately.
- + 0
- Sep 11 2018 - 09:12
- boudy
  
  Posts: 1,168
  Win is possible for them but I only see Max winning. Ricciardo has has such an bad run he needs to get near the podium first and get his points turning over. Added with the dynamic that he is leaving the team he will be now be getting less than equal opportunities within the team, Not sure what would happen in a straight out fight between both because there will be no space given by either and no amount of communication from the team will stop Ricciardo trying to overtake Max.
  + 1
  
  Sep 11 2018 - 10:13