At the Singapore Grand Prix, Max Verstappen faced frustration when Lando Norris slowed down on his final qualifying lap, disrupting Verstappen’s bid for pole position. The incident, captured by Verstappen’s onboard camera, showed the Dutch driver reacting with visible anger towards his British rival over the untimely obstruction.
Verstappen entered the Singapore GP having secured two victories earlier in the season, cutting the gap in the drivers’ championship standings. The Marina Bay Street Circuit was a vital venue for him to maximize points, especially with McLaren’s pace not matching that of Red Bull at this track.
Despite leading the McLaren cars in qualifying, Verstappen lost the chance to claim pole after encountering Norris during his final flyer. Passing through the turbulent air behind Norris caused a reduction in downforce on Verstappen’s RB21, forcing him to abort the lap. This clash left Verstappen settling for second place on the grid and expressing his displeasure using a thumbs-up gesture directed at Norris, as revealed by onboard footage.
Adding to the tension, Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, delivered a sarcastic remark over the radio:
“You can thank your mate for that.”
Verstappen responded shortly after, remarking:
“I guess [it] wasn’t it. But people do that.”
The Marina Bay Circuit remains a difficult challenge for Verstappen, marking one of the few tracks where he has yet to secure pole position in his Formula 1 career.
Verstappen’s Ongoing Frustration After Final Lap Obstruction
Verstappen’s difficulty at the Marina Bay Street Circuit extends beyond qualifying, as it is the only current F1 track where he has never recorded a race victory. Despite this, his strong pace throughout the weekend showed promise, though he ultimately qualified second behind George Russell.
In a post-qualifying interview with David Coulthard broadcast on F1TV, Verstappen addressed the incident directly, stating:
“Yeah, that’s what happens when there’s a car in front of you just cruising two seconds in front. So that’s noted, will be remembered as well.”
When prompted about which driver had impeded him, he humorously ruled out fellow teammate Oscar Piastri, saying, “Not Oscar.” Reflecting on his qualifying performance, Verstappen added:
“Yeah that was a bit of a shame, otherwise it could have been very close for pole. It’s always very exciting here in qualifying, of course little bit disappointed to not be first, but for us this weekend so far has been really good. The car has been very competitive, so for us to be second again is very good.”
Ultimately, Verstappen will start the Singapore GP alongside Mercedes driver George Russell, aiming to convert his front-row position into a strong race result despite the setback in qualifying.
Significance of the Singapore GP for Verstappen and Norris
This incident underscores the tension between Red Bull and McLaren, two key teams in the championship battle, at a circuit where clean air and track position are especially vital due to its street layout. Verstappen’s reaction highlights the fine margins in qualifying, where one poorly timed lap can disrupt a championship campaign.
Lando Norris’s slower pace on that final run will likely remain a topic of discussion, as Verstappen’s performance here is critical in maintaining his challenge for the title. The Singapore GP’s unique demands test both driver skill and team strategy, making moments like this pivotal in the unfolding championship drama.
With only a handful of races remaining, Verstappen’s ability to manage such frustrations and capitalize on strong race pace at venues like the Marina Bay Circuit could determine the trajectory of his bid for a fourth world championship.
https://twitter.com/MV33Racing/status/1974480588225511884
