Max Verstappen experienced a challenging first day in Singapore, finishing fifteenth in the second free practice. The Dutch driver expressed dissatisfaction with his performance, citing a lack of grip. To top it off, Verstappen received a penalty for inappropriate language use.
From Hope to Disappointment
The day started relatively well for Verstappen, who finished fourth in the first free practice, just behind his competitor Lando Norris. However, the second free practice did not go as smoothly, with him being 1.3 seconds slower than Norris, who clocked the fastest time. Only a few drivers, namely those from Alpine, Stake, and newcomer Colapinto, posted slower times than Verstappen.
Central Focus on Grip Problem
Unlike last year, where the bumps and kerbstones posed a significant challenge for Verstappen, this time it’s a different issue. “The bumps were not really a problem. The overall grip level is what we need to worry about. It felt difficult. We didn’t have the grip we need.” Max Verstappen has indicated that adjustments to the car are necessary to perform better.
Community Service for Language Violation
Verstappen’s day was further complicated by a community service penalty imposed on him for inappropriate comments during the press conference. In an interview with F1TV, the Dutchman refused to comment on this issue. “No comment,” said Verstappen, clearly disagreeing with the decision.
