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

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 on his way to his first victory of the season.

And he is, as one would expect, not getting ahead of himself.

"It was a good qualifying," Verstappen said. "It was always very close and we got ahead when it mattered and we are very happy with that.