Ferrari’s lack of pace pace surprises Norris and Russell: “I almost lapped them”

Ferrari’s lack of pace pace surprises Norris and Russell: “I almost lapped them” – Singapore GP. George Russell and Lando Norris express surprise at Ferrari’s lack of pace at the Singapore GP.

To truly understand the crisis Ferrari is currently facing, sometimes it’s more revealing to listen to what their rivals say than to the team itself. At the Singapore Grand Prix, the words exchanged between George Russell and Lando Norris—first and third on the podium—during the post-race interviews before the trophy presentation spoke volumes. The lack of pace shown by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton on the Marina Bay street circuit surprised even the two British drivers.

Disappointment for Ferrari

TV footage showed Russell and Norris chatting, and the conversation quickly turned to Ferrari when Norris jokingly mentioned the increased “flexibility” of his McLaren #4 front wing after it was damaged. Russell then brought up the Ferrari cars: “It always happens with Ferrari,” he commented. “Whenever they damage that part of the wing, they’re faster.”

Close to being lapped

Norris took the opportunity to highlight how the Maranello cars were never competitive in the race. “They were pretty slow,” the vice world champion observed. “Yes, I almost lapped them,” George Russell added for emphasis. Later, the Briton clarified that he had seen images on the big screens showing a Ferrari appearing just ahead of him on track, which were likely just replays.

However, this detail does not change the overall reality. Charles Leclerc, who finished sixth, was 46 seconds behind George Russell over 62 laps, averaging about seven and a half tenths per lap. Lewis Hamilton might have fared slightly better if he had not suffered a brake issue in the final laps, which caused him to drop further down the order. Still, even the veteran from Stevenage would have struggled to finish less than 30 seconds behind the race winner. A gap that is embarrassing considering the team’s pre-season expectations, and a Ferrari that cannot inspire fear in its rivals at the moment.