In a delightful departure from the high-octane world of Formula 1, Oracle Red Bull Racing champions Max Verstappen and Sergio “Checo” Perez traded their sleek racing cars for motorized cleaning carts. The venue? The dazzling Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore. The mission? To compete in what can only be described as the world’s cleanest race.
Returning to Singapore ahead of the highly anticipated Singapore Grand Prix (happening starting today, 15 to 17 September 2023), Verstappen and Perez found themselves engaged in an unusual but uproarious challenge. The event, supported by Jewel Changi Airport and the Singapore Tourism Board, showcased the beauty of Lion City, renowned for its diverse culinary culture, captivating attractions, and lush gardens.
The first part of this unique competition resembled a mock sprint race, kicking off with an electrifying “Le Mans” style start. Max Verstappen gained an early advantage by firing up his cleaning cart faster than his teammate. He held a solid lead until Checo Perez attempted to gain ground with a shortcut that breached track limits, ultimately securing Verstappen’s victory in the sprint race.
“It was great. When I got to see the cart for the first time, I was shocked with it,” said Checo when asked about the challenge. Max laughed stating, “At this stage, being with the team, I’m quite used to it. They come up with quite a lot of things so this was another one.”
Following the sprint, the drivers embarked on the Cleaning Challenge, navigating an expanded track filled with obstacles, including muddy footprints, dirt, rubbish, and leaves. Verstappen, starting in pole position, maintained his lead throughout the race. However, a thrilling head-to-head battle ensued in the latter part of the course. Despite Checo’s relentless attempts to overtake him, Max held his ground. During the pit stop, it became evident that Max’s vehicle had cleaned more debris, giving him a substantial lead. With determination, Max sprinted (albeit slowly) to the finish line, securing first place in the inaugural World’s Cleanest Race. He was presented with a pre-broken trophy in recognition of his victory by Oracle Red Bull Racing ambassador Josh Denzel, sparing him the effort of breaking it himself.
The event took place at Jewel Changi Airport, renowned for its autonomous fleet of cleaning robots, and offered a stunning backdrop featuring the world’s tallest indoor waterfall nestled within a lush indoor forest.
“It’s always good to be in Singapore. It’s an incredible track and the fact that it’s a night race makes it even more special. It is of course a very warm race which can be challenging, so it’s definitely one of the toughest races on the calendar,” added Max.
Checo echoed similar sentiments, saying, “It’s a track that’s really hard on us and the cars. We just have to deliver to the maximum.”
The World’s Cleanest Challenge served as the perfect prelude to the Singapore Grand Prix, and fans can expect Checo Perez to aim for a repeat of his incredible performance from last year’s night race. Max Verstappen, on the other hand, has his sights set on extending his record-breaking streak with a potential first-time victory in Singapore.
To witness the epic action and infectious laughter of Max Verstappen and Checo Perez, fans can head over to Oracle Red Bull Racing’s YouTube channel to watch the World’s Cleanest Race in its entirety.
Be sure to visit the official Red Bull Singapore website, its social media pages TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, as well as Oracle Red Bull Racing’s official TikTok account.