Lando Norris makes a statement with Singapore Grand Prix win

22nd September 2024

McLaren extends championship lead with 1-3 finish

MCLAREN’S Lando Norris won the Singapore Grand Prix, extending the team’s lead in the Constructors’ Championship, reports Damian Hall.

The 24-year-old Brit dominated the race, holding off fierce competition from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who ultimately finished second.

Visibly drained but elated, Norris summed up his victory, saying: “It was an amazing race, [with] a few too many close calls.

Referencing a lock-up at Turn 14, where he brushed the wall on the exit but luckily escaped without damage to the front wing, he said: “I had a few little moments in the middle. It was a nice race, still tough.”

He also acknowledged his teammate Oscar Piastri’s efforts, which landed him third, saying: “It was good to have Oscar there on the podium too, he drove well today, so a good day for the team also.”

From the outset, Norris controlled the race, maintaining his lead as the top three – Norris, Verstappen, and Hamilton – had a clean start.

Despite traditionally losing his lead on the opening lap of races he started from pole, the McLaren driver made a statement today (Sept 22), building enough of a gap to his rivals to extend his medium tyre stint until lap 30 before switching to hards, managing to rejoin the race without losing his lead.

His composure under pressure reflected his growing confidence as a front-runner, and this win closes the gap to championship leader Verstappen to 52 points.

Verstappen, satisfied with his result given the circumstances, said: “I think on a weekend when we knew we were going to struggle, P2 is a good achievement. Of course, we are happy with second. Now we have to try and improve more and more, and that’s what we will try to do.”

Oscar Piastri, said of his third-place finish: “It was a good race, good recovering from qualifying to get back to the podium was a good result. Big thank you to the team, the car was exceptional this weekend, and we got some good points for the team.”

Late in the race, the Australian driver moved up to third after overtaking Mercedes’ George Russell on lap 45, securing good points for McLaren.

Russell, meanwhile, finished fourth and struggled with balance issues. His frustrations were evident over the radio as he complained of both understeer and oversteer, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc inched closer, chasing him all the way to the finish line.

Teammate Sir Lewis Hamilton, who started third, could only manage a sixth-place finish.

In a dramatic last-minute decision, Red Bull’s sister team Visa Cash App RB’s Daniel Ricciardo pitted for fresh tyres to snatch the fastest lap from Norris, denying him an extra point that could have been crucial in his championship battle. Verstappen, thankful for his old teammate’s intervention, was heard over the radio, acknowledging Ricciardo’s efforts.

In a season where every point matters, that single point could make all the difference for Norris in his pursuit of Verstappen’s title. Norris now trails Verstappen by 52 points with six races remaining.

Norris’ remarkable drive in Singapore not only boosted McLaren’s championship hopes but also solidified his place as a serious contender in the fight for the title.