The oppressive heat challenged many at the Singapore GP, but Lando Norris mostly kept his cool, securing his third win of the season and further closing the gap to Max Verstappen in the title race. Here are the main takeaways from the Marina Bay weekend.
1. Lando Norris’s (im)possible mission is still doable
Lando Norris dominated the Singapore GP, building a 20-second lead by lap 25, a feat reminiscent of Max Verstappen’s 2023 victories. The MCL38 had a clear aerodynamic advantage, but Norris capitalized on it, starting strong and steadily increasing his lead. Despite two risky moments where he brushed the wall, Norris remained in control. To win the title, he will need to replicate this performance six more times and succeed in the sprint races as well.
2. Ferrari had promised to fight for the win before disaster struck in qualifying
Charles Leclerc showed good performance in FP1 and FP2, suggesting Ferrari could be competitive in Singapore. However, the Maranello team’s speed faded in FP3. During qualifying, a mistake by Carlos Sainz compromised his teammate’s first Q3 attempt. After a lap on cold tires, his final time was canceled for exceeding track limits, leaving both drivers on the fifth row and limiting their opportunities in the race.
3. The reason behind Max’s silence during the FIA press conference
Max Verstappen took on a more abrupt attitude during FIA press conferences after being penalized for swearing. Finding the situation “silly,” he chose to give short answers. Outside the press room, he voiced his frustration: “These things definitely affect my future. When you can’t be yourself and have to deal with this nonsense… I’m at a stage in my career where I don’t want to deal with it anymore. It’s really exhausting.”
4. McLaren’s “mini-DRS” gets blocked
The rear wing of the McLaren MCL38 attracted attention after the Baku race when images showed a slight opening in the lower corners of the wing during the long straight. This modification, designed to reduce drag and increase acceleration, helped Oscar Piastri hold off Charles Leclerc. However, the FIA asked McLaren to modify it so that it wouldn’t open without DRS activation. This adjustment was not present on the wing used in Singapore, but it could impact future races, like the one in Las Vegas.
5. Mercedes’s hot evening
The enthusiastic comments from Mercedes drivers about setup improvements clashed with Sunday’s reality, when Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, suffering from heat exhaustion, finished fourth and sixth respectively. George Russell complained of understeer and oversteer issues, while Lewis Hamilton made an early pit stop for hard tires, unable to fend off Charles Leclerc. “We can’t hide the fact that the car is too slow,” said Toto Wolff, calling the day “a real pain.” He explained that Mercedes struggles on hot, demanding circuits like Singapore and Baku in terms of traction, adding that the current situation is below the team’s expectations, especially when the best result is a minute behind the leader.
6. Daniel Ricciardo, the last dance?
Rumors about Daniel Ricciardo’s possible final weekend in F1 have intensified, with RB ready to promote Liam Lawson. Ricciardo failed to make it past Q1 and struggled during the race, ending with a final pit stop in an attempt to set the fastest lap. After the race, he said it wasn’t a “fairytale ending,” hinting at a potential retirement. Apart from his 2021 Monza win, his journey after moving from Red Bull to Renault in 2019 hasn’t been positive. His second chance in 2023 was already hindered by an injury, and he hasn’t shown enough to justify staying. If this is indeed his farewell, his personality will be missed.
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