Chandhok backs Verstappen for championship runner-up after Singapore win

Karun Chandhok has backed Max Verstappen to finish second in the drivers’ championship, calling the Red Bull driver the clear favourite after his Singapore Grand Prix victory. Verstappen’s win lifted him to 221 points, 17 behind George Russell, with Kimi Antonelli leading the championship.

Verstappen converted pole position at Marina Bay into a lights-to-flag victory, finishing 7.335 seconds clear of Charles Leclerc. It was his second win of the season.

Speaking on the Sky F1 podcast, Chandhok described Verstappen as being “on imperious form”. He said Verstappen recognised that grip was lacking in the final sector and avoided over-attacking the entry to Turn 16. Chandhok also said drivers who might have outqualified Verstappen in Sprint qualifying and Grand Prix qualifying made mistakes or failed to put their laps together in the final part.