Max Verstappen keeps eyes on the prize as he rejects claims of Red Bull dominance

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen says the Formula 1 Championship battle has been more competitive than the standings suggest.

The Dutch ace will have his first opportunity to wrap up the Drivers' Championship when F1 returns to Singapore at the weekend.

Verstappen enjoys a 116-point lead over Charles Leclerc. He will secure the title in Singapore if he wins the race, the Monegasque finishes outside the top eight, and Carlos Sainz finishes worse than the fourth.

Despite the massive lead, Verstappen still believes Ferrari and Mercedes have provided strong competition.

"The cars are completely different. You're fighting a different team," said Verstappen when asked to compare this season's title race with 2021.

"The points lead, of course, nobody expected it to be like this. I don't think it really portrays how the season has gone in terms of competitiveness because all the races we have had, I don't think there has actually been one where we have been, let's say, really dominant. It has always been really fine margins, and I expect that to continue."

In the Constructors' Championship, Red Bull is 139 points clear of Ferrari.

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