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It’s the one race on this year’s Formula 1 calendar that Max Verstappen has never won. It could be crucial to his chances of a series comeback.
Verstappen heads into this week’s Singapore Grand Prix with back-to-back wins which have made a fifth consecutive title go from near-impossible to merely unlikely.
Meanwhile, standings leader Oscar Piastri had an awful weekend at the last race in Azerbaijan, title rival Lando Norris couldn’t capitalize, and their McLaren team has started making mistakes at pit stops.
Verstappen is “genuinely a challenger,” Norris said Thursday. “A couple of weeks ago, they brought some upgrades, and it seems like that’s put them back on the same level as us.”
‘One crash... and it’s game on’
F1 drivers were challenged Thursday to estimate how likely it was Verstappen could pull off what would be a historic surge in the title fight. Norris was cautious — “there’s a chance, so more than zero” — but others suggested it’s already a real three-way title fight.
As he has done all season, Verstappen played down his title chances, saying he’s just taking things race by race and not thinking about the championship.
Verstappen is 69 points behind Piastri with seven races to go. That’s still a big gap but his recent form, combined with glaring errors at McLaren, suggests the momentum has swung.
“One crash between Lando and Oscar, and it’s game on,” said Williams’ Alex Albon, who put Verstappen’s chances at 15 percent.
Singapore’s stifling heat and twisty track are unlikely to favor a Red Bull car whose latest upgrades work best on high-speed circuits, predicted, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc said. He still gave Verstappen a 20 percent chance of being on top at the end of the season.
The hunter, not the hunted
There aren’t many firsts left in F1 for a driver like Verstappen, but he’s never really needed a late-season comeback before.
Verstappen’s first title in 2021 came down to a controversial last-lap call against Lewis Hamilton, but before that he had a modest lead for much of the season. His titles in 2022 and 2023 were displays of record-breaking dominance. Last year he was the front-runner and Norris the underdog.
There’s little doubt Verstappen has the mindset to chase the McLarens down. “We all know Max and how dangerous he is when there’s something to grab,” Haas driver Esteban Ocon said.
It’s a big shift from even a few months ago, when Red Bull was struggling and there was speculation over Verstappen’s future with the team. He eventually confirmed he’ll stay.
Verstappen seems more relaxed than ever, too.
He’s opened up about his family life with his baby daughter, Lily — a good sleeper, Verstappen told German broadcaster Sky — and he’s spending more time on his hobby.
Being a huge motorsports fan even by F1 standards, that hobby is GT3 sportscar racing in Germany, where Verstappen claimed his first win last week.

ABU DHABI: Ethara, the organizers of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, have revealed that 2024 was their biggest year yet, with $340 million in visitor spend from 192,000 fans over the four days.

Announced at the Sport Industry Forum recently, the 2024 results highlight the race’s growing global sport, cultural and tourism impact.

The figure represents a 6.8 percent increase on the previous record of $320 million. Attendance grew by 12.9 percent from 170,000 to 192,000, with 70 percent of spectators coming from abroad.

That increasing demand has continued ahead of the 2025 edition — at Yas Marina Circuit from Dec. 4 to 7 — with most of the tickets already sold.

The results highlight the event’s role in leading Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s tourism ambitions, reflecting how in the 16 years since its debut, it has grown into a global showpiece.

Saif Al-Noaimi, CEO of Ethara, said the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix “continues to raise the bar” which “demonstrates how we’ve evolved the event into an entertainment and tourism destination that transcends sport.

“With an unprecedented level of advance sales for the 2025 race, fans are telling us they trust in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix experience and everything that it brings both on and off the track.”

The 2024 results also showed that 85 percent of international visitors arrived by air. More than half came to Abu Dhabi for the first time and many turned their stays into full holidays.

Alongside the racing, fans ventured beyond the circuit with their Abu Dhabi tickets to access Yas Island’s theme parks, and also cultural landmarks including Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al-Watan.

Over 30,000 visits were recorded across these sights during the 2024 race weekend. In 2025, ticket benefits have been further extended and include teamLab Phenomena, adding more value to the experience.

The event’s signature Yasalam entertainment proposition, presented by e& and After-Race Concerts, had a record 110,000 attending over four nights at Etihad Park.

The event also drew a huge broadcast audience, with 62 million watching last year’s championship finale on TV and streaming platforms.

That was further enhanced by F1 teams, drivers and celebrities sharing their experience on social media, giving the event an online reach of 4.6 billion.

Besides tourism, the event contributed to the local economy by generating jobs and bringing opportunities to the community.

Notably, 88 percent of staff on-site at Yas Marina Circuit last year were UAE-based, offering valuable experience and opportunities, especially for young professionals and temporary workers, as well as small-and-medium businesses and suppliers.