Verstappen building major momentum as 'no-one very happy' at McLaren

Max Verstappen's revival might not be a serious issue for Kimi Antonelli but it is for McLaren, who had a bad Saturday in Singapore, writes Andrew Benson. Max Verstappen is too far behind, and Kimi Antonelli too far ahead, to consider that Red Bull's revival might create any real jeopardy in the championship fight – but the Dutchman is certainly building some major momentum as the Formula 1 season moves into its closing stages. Verstappen finished Saturday in Singapore with pole position for the grand prix to add to the sprint-race victory he had completed in tricky wet conditions earlier in the day. And that gives him a great opportunity to complete a second grand prix victory within a week if he can convert on Sunday.

Verstappen has two eager Ferrari drivers right behind him, after Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton both felt that they had just missed out on a pole position that was possible. He also has concerns about Red Bull's inconsistent starts – he lost the lead off the line both in Malaysia last weekend and in the sprint. If he does drop back at the start in Singapore, it is the sort of track where overtaking is at a premium and he will not find it as easy to get back in front as he did