Lando Norris revealed some frustrations during the second free practice session of the Singapore Grand Prix weekend at Marina Bay Circuit, admitting he was half a second slower than expected. The McLaren driver, preparing for his fifth race at this night event, acknowledged that while his car was performing well, his own driving was not quite on the pace needed.
Norris has a strong history at the Marina Bay Circuit, having won the previous edition by leading every lap. Despite this, the British driver found himself sixth in the first practice and only improving to fifth in the second session, trailing teammate Oscar Piastri by roughly half a second.
During the final phase of FP2, his race engineer, Will Joseph, encouraged him to complete continuous runs to find rhythm and improve lap times. However, Norris questioned this strategy over the radio with a candid remark:
“Why do you wanna do continuous [laps]? I’m half a second off… My car’s not half a second off, is it? My driving’s half a second off.”
– Lando Norris, Formula 1 driver
Progression and Challenges Leading Up to Singapore
Since his debut at the Singapore GP in 2019, where Norris finished seventh, his performance at the circuit has steadily advanced. By 2022, he secured fourth place, and at the 2023 race, Norris achieved his best result yet by finishing as a runner-up. Notably, he and Carlos Sainz, driving for different teams, worked together to lock out the top two podium positions in a historic collaboration.
Last year, Norris elevated his status by taking victory, demonstrating strong pace and consistency under the challenging conditions of the twilight race. However, heading into the 2025 race weekend, Norris expressed mixed feelings but remained focused on hitting similar heights again despite the struggles in practice sessions.
Speaking before the event, Norris said:
“I’m looking forward to racing under the lights again in Singapore. It was good to be back in Woking after Baku, resetting with the team and spending time in the sim. I’ve got good memories here – a podium and a win last year – so I’m ready to go for it again.”
– Lando Norris, Formula 1 driver
Current Championship Battle Intensifies
At this stage of the Formula 1 season, Norris trails teammate Oscar Piastri by 25 points in the drivers’ championship. Over the past two weekends, however, Norris has narrowed this margin by nine points, applying pressure on Piastri as the season progresses toward its critical stages.
This points gap reflects the intense rivalry between the two McLaren teammates, adding another layer of complexity to Norris’s quest for success, especially at a circuit where he has previously thrived. The challenge for Norris will be to convert his strong past performances into consistent pace and results as the race weekend continues.
What Lies Ahead for Norris at Marina Bay
The practice issue revealed in Singapore raises questions about Norris’s rhythm and confidence ahead of qualifying and the race itself. Being half a second off pace in practice is significant, particularly at a circuit where margins are tight and mistakes can be costly under the demanding night conditions.
As the weekend progresses, Norris and his team will focus on fine-tuning the car setup and improving his driving precision to reclaim the top position he enjoyed last year. Success at Marina Bay not only solidifies Norris’s growing stature but could also shift momentum in the championship battle with Piastri and other contenders.
With strong memories from previous seasons at Singapore and a clear willingness to adapt, Norris remains one of the drivers to watch as the race approaches, underlined by his desire to replicate and surpass past achievements despite current setbacks during practice.
