Max Verstappen is backing Red Bull to be back to their best very soon after their incredible winning run came to an end at the Singapore Grand Prix.

The two-time world champion headed to the Marina Bay street circuit having won the last 10 races in a row – a Formula One record.

Red Bull were unbeaten in 2023, with their winning run stretching back to last season and standing at 15 in a row – also a record for the sport.

But the RB19 was nowhere near quick enough in Singapore, with the usually unbeatable machine struggling for rear grip all weekend, with Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez only qualifying 11th and 13th on the grid respectively.

Things improved during the race, with the pair jumping up the order thanks to an early safety car, though their strategy relied on a perfectly timed second safety car period which did not materialise.

Nevertheless, they came home fifth and eighth, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz taking the win ahead of Lando Norris and Sir Lewis Hamilton, with George Russell notably crashing on the final lap.

The team are in a decent position to win the constructors’ title in Japan next weekend, though runaway championship leader Verstappen won’t be able to lift the drivers’ title until at least the race after in Qatar.

Reflecting on an abnormally disappointing weekend, the 25-year-old told Sky Sports: ‘We had some bad luck with the Safety Cars as well. The first one was at the wrong point and also the second one came at the wrong point for us.

‘So a bit of a shame. I had fun in the second stint. We were quite quick on the medium compound.’

Remarkably, this race was the first race in which Verstappen had been overtaken in 2023, with the Dutchman enjoying several great duels with drivers up and down the grid.

‘For me, I don’t care about these stats! I was on old tyres, there wasn’t much I could do.’

Though Red Bull struggled on Singapore’s street, many believe normal order will resume at the Japanese Grand Prix and their star man concurs, adding: ‘I think we will be quick in Suzuka.

‘It’s not my problem (if rivals are concerned by that), it’s their worries!’

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