Team advisor Helmut Marko has delivered a scathing assessment of Max Verstappen's performance in a telling admission of the RB20's struggles. The three-time champion finished Friday's second practice session in a dismal 15th place, a staggering 1.294 seconds behind pace-setter and championship rival Lando Norris.

Verstappen is not upbeat about Red Bull's chances ahead of the Singapore GP, though he hopes for better fortunes than last year

Oscar Piastri’s win last week at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix put McLaren top in the teams’ standings — the key to F1’s lavish prize money — but teammate Norris only took a small bite out of Verstappen’s lead.