Upon their return to Singapore, the champions of Oracle Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen and Sergio “Checo” Perez, took on a delightfully unconventional challenge. They enthusiastically took the wheel of motorized cleaning carts, engaging in a thrilling race on a specially designed indoor circuit, creating the world’s cleanest race, all within the magnificent Jewel Changi Airport.
The initial segment of this mock sprint race began with an electrifying “Le Mans” style start. Max surged ahead by quickly igniting his cleaning cart, maintaining a commanding lead until Checo attempted a track-limit-violating shortcut, ultimately securing Max’s victory.
In the ensuing Cleaning Challenge, the drivers navigated a more extensive course riddled with obstacles like muddy footprints, dirt, debris, and leaves. Max, starting from pole position, held onto his lead for most of the race. However, an exhilarating head-to-head battle emerged in the latter part of the circuit. Despite Checo’s persistent attempts to overtake, Max held his ground. During the pit stop, it became evident that Max’s vehicle had cleaned up more debris. With a substantial lead, Max gracefully (though not swiftly) cruised to the finish line, clinching the top spot in the inaugural World’s Cleanest Race. He received a pre-broken trophy as a nod to his victory, presented by Oracle Red Bull Racing ambassador, Josh Denzel, sparing him the effort of breaking it himself.
When asked about the challenge, Checo exclaimed, “It was great! When I first saw the cart, I was genuinely surprised.”
Max, on the uniqueness of the event, chuckled and said, “At this point, with the team, I’m quite accustomed to it. They always come up with interesting ideas, and this was just another one.”
Sponsored by Jewel Changi Airport and the Singapore Tourism Board, there couldn’t have been a more fitting venue for this event than the world’s finest airport, known for its fleet of autonomous cleaning robots and its breathtaking setting featuring the world’s tallest indoor waterfall nestled amid lush indoor greenery.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Singapore, a city celebrated for its diverse culinary scene, captivating attractions, and verdant gardens, the allure of the Lion City and FORMULA 1’s first night street race has always captivated racing enthusiasts and Oracle Red Bull Racing drivers alike.
Max remarked, “It’s always great to be in Singapore. It’s an incredible track, and the fact that it’s a night race makes it even more special. It’s, of course, a very hot race, which can be challenging, so it’s definitely one of the toughest races on the calendar.”
Checo echoed these sentiments, adding, “It’s a track that really tests us and our cars. We just have to perform at our absolute best.”
The one-of-a-kind World’s Cleanest challenge, held ahead of the highly anticipated Singapore Grand Prix (15 to 17 September), served as the perfect warm-up for the racers before tackling the main event. Checo expressed his hopes of repeating his outstanding performance from the previous year, saying, “It would be fantastic to replicate what we achieved last year. I look forward to it, and hopefully, we can deliver an exceptional race.”
Max, in particular, has his sights set on extending his record-breaking streak with a potential first-time victory in Singapore. He declared, “Street circuits always bring additional challenges, but we will definitely give it our all. We have a fast car, but on a street circuit, many other cars can be quick as well, and the margins will be very tight. Naturally, we want to win, so let’s see what we can do.”
To witness the epic action and contagious laughter of Max Verstappen and Checo Perez, head over to Oracle Red Bull Racing’s YouTube channel to watch the complete World’s Cleanest Race.
For more details, please visit the official Red Bull Singapore website, their social media platforms (TikTok | Instagram | Facebook), and Oracle Red Bull Racing’s official TikTok account.
