Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen took a pointed jab at McLaren’s Lando Norris following the Singapore Grand Prix qualifying session at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Verstappen secured second place on the starting grid but expressed frustration that Norris negatively impacted his final flying lap during the session.
Verstappen Signals Frustration After Qualifying Run
During the heat of qualifying, Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, was heard over the team radio telling him,
“You can thank your mate for that. Hard luck.”
The comment highlighted the tension between the Red Bull driver and his McLaren rival. Speaking to former F1 racer David Coulthard after the session, Verstappen accused Norris of ruining his crucial final lap.
Verstappen 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.”
When asked to clarify who he was referring to, Verstappen said,
“Not Oscar. So that was a bit of a shame, otherwise I think it could have been close for pole.”
He later confirmed that it was indeed Norris who had affected his flying lap.
On-Track Incident and Expert Opinions
Race footage showed that Norris was positioned ahead of Verstappen at the final chicane during the Dutchman’s last flying lap. This positioning caused Verstappen to be inconvenienced as he approached the corner, leading to a suboptimal line and slower time. However, 2009 F1 champion Jenson Button weighed in on the situation on Sky Sports F1, offering a different perspective.
Button explained,
“With these cars, you get affected by a car a couple of seconds up the road, which is a pain, but that’s why they move over immediately.”
He added,
“I think he’s frustrated Lando didn’t move over before the chicane. He doesn’t have to within the regulations, but it obviously hurt his front end as he turned into the corner and put him off line.”
Qualifying Results and Race Grid Overview
Mercedes driver George Russell claimed pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix, securing the top spot on the grid. Verstappen’s second-place position put him alongside Russell on the front row, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri rounded out the top three qualifiers. Despite his disappointment, Verstappen acknowledged the competitiveness of his car throughout the weekend.
He reflected,
“It’s always very exciting here in qualifying. Of course I’m 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.”
Significance and What to Expect Moving Forward
The interplay between Verstappen and Norris during qualifying underscores the subtle but critical strategic battles that influence starting positions in Formula 1. While Norris was within his rights not to move over before the final chicane, Verstappen’s irritation highlights the fine margins drivers must navigate in street circuits like Singapore, where track position and timing are crucial.
As the race unfolds at Marina Bay, the tension between these drivers and their teams could become a factor in both the contest for podium positions and the ongoing championship standings. Verstappen’s ability to challenge Russell from the second grid spot will be closely watched, especially considering the competitive pace McLaren and Red Bull have displayed during the weekend so far.
