Formula 1 Singapore GP
Red Bull’s F1 car no longer “jumping like a kangaroo” in Singapore
The RB21 used to ‘jump like a kangaroo’ at Marina Bay, but Verstappen was much more comfortable on Friday
Ben Vinel Ronald Vording
Edited: Oct 3, 2025, 5:19 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Red Bull Formula 1 advisor Helmut Marko hailed the team’s ‘best Friday in years’ at a Singapore Grand Prix where it has historically enjoyed very little success.
Red Bull has not taken a single pole position at the Marina Bay Street Circuit since the beginning of the turbo hybrid era in 2014, with Sergio Perez providing the squad’s sole victory in the city-state back in 2022.
Max Verstappen took third in both practice sessions on Friday, 0.276s and 0.143s off the top of the times respectively, with McLaren, Racing Bulls, Red Bull and Aston Martin within two tenths of one another in the second session.
Read Also:
Formula 1F1 Singapore GP: Fernando Alonso tops FP1 ahead of Charles Leclerc
Formula 1F1 Singapore GP: Oscar Piastri tops disrupted FP2 session
“It was the best Friday since I don't know how many years here,” Marko said when asked about Red Bull’s day by Motorsport. “So, we definitely made a step forward. I think in qualifying it will be within hundreds of seconds.
“Long run, nobody could do, because of the [two] red flags. But basically, Max is happy with the car. There are still some little things to adjust, and in the end it will be very, very tight.”
Dr Helmut Marko, Team Consultant, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Kym Illman / Getty Images
Verstappen had previously complained about the car’s behaviour on bumps and kerbs, likening it to a kangaroo over team radio during practice for the 2024 Monaco GP, but the early signs are promising after the team brought a new front wing to the Singapore track.
“The car is better,” Marko announced. “The car, you know, in the past he was always complaining, ‘jumping like a kangaroo’, and now it's much better over the kerbs, and also understeer is less. So, little tweaks, and let's hope that they are working.”
Read Also:
However, the Austrian insisted it was too early to predict the remainder of the weekend – despite Red Bull looking “competitive” on soft tyres – due to the red flags preventing long runs.
He did assess that Aston Martin’s pace seemed genuine, after Alonso topped Free Practice 1 and took fourth position in FP2: “I have to say Alonso was in all sessions fast, and they also did a very good performance in Budapest, which is similar. So I think we have to consider them.”
As far as Racing Bulls is concerned, with Isack Hadjar setting the second-fastest time in the second session, Marko reckoned the sister team wouldn’t contend for the win but “could be quite high up”.
Photos from Singapore GP - Practice
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Singapore GP - Friday, in photos
Formula 1
64
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Frustrated Lando Norris slams "difficult" Friday practice at Singapore GP
Next article Helmut Marko: "Fast, aggressive" Alex Dunne the type of driver "Red Bull likes"
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Ben Vinel
Cadillac reveals date for F1 engine factory debut, thanks drivers for being “patient”
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
19 h
Cadillac reveals date for F1 engine factory debut, thanks drivers for being “patient”
Audi hands F3 runner-up Freddie Slater F1 practice debut
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
20 h
Audi hands F3 runner-up Freddie Slater F1 practice debut
More from
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
13 h
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Max Verstappen defends Chris Lulham after online abuse
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
Max Verstappen defends Chris Lulham after online abuse
More from
Red Bull Racing
Red Bull called Christian Horner to thank him for F1 engine project after maiden win
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Red Bull called Christian Horner to thank him for F1 engine project after maiden win
The figures that show Mercedes has lost its supremacy in F1 2026
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
The figures that show Mercedes has lost its supremacy in F1 2026
Latest news
George Russell: F1 2026 season a test of "character and resilience"
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
37 min
George Russell: F1 2026 season a test of "character and resilience"
Marc Marquez: ‘Jorge Martin rides on instinct; he just attacks, and that’s his strength’
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
1 h
Marc Marquez: ‘Jorge Martin rides on instinct; he just attacks, and that’s his strength’
Lamborghini Super Trofeo | North America, Race 2: Bamber dominates to take the win
Lamborghini Super Trofeo
LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo
World Finals - Monza 2026
1 h
Lamborghini Super Trofeo | North America, Race 2: Bamber dominates to take the win
Belgian firm to take over Renault/Alpine engine facility in Viry
WEC
WEC WEC 2 h
Belgian firm to take over Renault/Alpine engine facility in Viry
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe