At the Singapore Grand Prix qualifying on the Marina Bay Street Circuit, McLaren driver Lando Norris responded sharply to Red Bull’s complaint following a late qualifying incident with Max Verstappen. Norris denied blocking Verstappen during the session, maintaining he was already several seconds ahead and did not impede the reigning world champion’s hot lap.
During the final moments of qualifying, Norris was completing his in-lap after securing fifth place on the grid. Meanwhile, Verstappen approached quickly on a flying lap but locked up at Turn 16, missing the corner apex and subsequently abandoning his attempt. Frustrated, Verstappen gestured towards Norris, suggesting the McLaren driver’s pace affected his run.
Clash Between Norris and Verstappen in Final Sector
Verstappen publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation after qualifying. He stated,
“That’s what happens when there’s a car in front of you just cruising two seconds in front. That’s noted, it will be remembered as well,”
highlighting his view that Norris’s reduced speed compromised his lap time.
However, Norris pushed back on these claims when speaking to Motorsport.com. He appeared confused by Verstappen’s criticism, emphasizing the distance he maintained on track.
“They always complain. They complain about everything. That’s Red Bull. I don’t even know. I was like three second ahead. I can’t work it out,”
Norris remarked, underscoring a tense dynamic between the two teams.
McLaren Struggles Amidst Strong Competition at Singapore
Despite previous hopes for a strong showing on this circuit, McLaren found themselves trailing the frontrunners in qualifying. George Russell claimed pole position ahead of Verstappen and McLaren rookie Oscar Piastri, while Norris could only manage fifth place. Notably, the McLaren cars lagged behind Russell’s pace by several tenths of a second, with Piastri 0.366 seconds slower in third and Norris 0.428 seconds back in fifth.
Norris reflected on his performance, acknowledging challenges with the car and circuit conditions.
“I just didn’t put it all together, I’m talking small margins, and clearly as a team the car’s not in the right place,”
he said.
“We’re just not quick enough. Especially to do a 1m29.1s [like polesitter Russell] is just out of our league at the minute, just like we were to others last year, and at times this year.”
McLaren Faces Tire and Handling Issues This Weekend
The team is confronting particular difficulties with front tires and handling balance, as Norris explained.
“The tables have turned, and everyone seems to be struggling a lot with the front tyres this weekend. We know that’s a weakness of our car at times, and understeer is also my worst nightmare,”
he admitted, indicating ongoing performance hurdles for McLaren.
Upcoming Challenges and Tensions in Formula 1
This incident and the ensuing tension reflect the competitive pressure building between McLaren and Red Bull, especially with Verstappen defending his championship lead. Norris’s response underscores a growing friction that may influence future on-track encounters and team relations. As the season continues, both drivers and teams will be eager to capitalize on strengths and avoid controversy amid tight rivalries.
