Mekies praises Verstappen’s build-up to Singapore pole

Max Verstappen narrowly beat Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to pole in Singapore qualifying. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies said qualifying is particularly important at the circuit and praised Verstappen’s session: the Dutchman had speed from his first lap, built strongly through qualifying and delivered the right lap at the right moment.

Mekies said several cars had the pace for pole on Friday and Saturday and described Singapore as a difficult circuit on which to get the car perfectly set up. The search for the right compromise in Red Bull’s garage had been a fight, with support from the mechanics, Verstappen and the factory in Milton Keynes, he added.

The sprint weekend offered no genuine long run before the race; Red Bull still had to discuss what pole meant for the Grand Prix, Mekies said.