Max Verstappen shrugs off poor Singapore race to refocus on upcoming Japanese GP

After what he described as a "very messy" weekend in Singapore, Max Verstappen will try again to wrap up his 2022 drivers' title this weekend in Japan.

Under the Singapore lights, the Dutchman's Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez raced to victory on the damp street circuit and said Verstappen would have to work on his title once again this weekend at Suzuka.

"I think it's nicer for Max to get it in Japan. It would be very special for Honda," Perez said.

With a win and the fastest lap in Japan, Verstappen will render Ferrari's Charles Leclerc powerless to prevent a second consecutive title win for the Dutchman. And if he finishes second at Suzuka, a fifth place for Leclerc will still see Verstappen crowned champion even without the race win.

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No presents

Verstappen's first 'match point' had been in Singapore, but although he turned 25 on Friday, there were no celebrations for the Dutchman late on Sunday.

"The whole weekend wasn't a birthday present," Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko said.

"On Friday, the setup was wrong. On Saturday, there was the dilemma with qualifying, and at the start of the race, he was in the wrong engine mode and later, he made a mistake on the brakes. From the start, it was clear that he wanted too much."

READ: WRAP | Sergio Perez waves the Red Bull banner with dominant performance in Singapore

Verstappen had been furious after qualifying when a potential pole lap was called off at the very last corner due to a concern about the mandatory fuel sample.

"It all started yesterday (Saturday), of course," Max said.

"When you start in that position, you either manage to go forward, or it's going to be frustrating. Seventh place