Max Verstappen has announced he finally trusts his car, which is Formula One code for “it hasn’t exploded yet.”

The Red Bull driver revealed that being half a second behind McLaren is basically a victory if you close your eyes and pretend it is still 2023.

“It feels more normal,” Verstappen said, likely referring to the crushing sensation of mediocrity that usually follows a period of God-like dominance.

Red Bull engineers confirmed they have successfully halved the performance gap, though they failed to mention the distance was previously wide enough to fit a parked SBS bus.

The "upgraded" car reportedly features a new aerodynamic package specifically designed to look impressive while being overtaken by Lando Norris.

Local fans in Singapore are already preparing for the Marina Bay race by practicing their “I’m only here for the concerts anyway” facial expressions.

Verstappen’s teammate, Isack Hadjar, qualified ninth, proving that the vehicle is perfectly engineered for anyone who enjoys finishing behind a teenager from Bristol.

The team remains optimistic that the car will eventually be capable of navigating a Henderson Wave incline without the engine suffering a catastrophic cardiac arrest.

Despite the upgrades, Verstappen’s trust in the car is still significantly lower than a Singaporean mother’s trust in her son’s career as a full-time YouTuber.

The Dutch driver is now looking forward to future races where he can continue to prove that losing by a smaller margin is the ultimate champion's mindset.