McLaren driver Lando Norris snapped back at Red Bull following Max Verstappen’s accusation that he impeded his Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix qualifying, saying “they always complain, that’s Red Bull.”
At the end of qualifying, Norris was on his in-lap having taken fifth on the grid while a hot-lapping Verstappen approached in the final sector – the Dutchman was the last frontrunner to take the chequered flag.
With Norris slowing on his way to the pits, two to three seconds ahead, Verstappen locked up and missed the apex of Turn 16, which made him abandon his lap, angrily gesticulating at Norris.
“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,” Verstappen said afterwards.
But when quizzed about the incident by Autosport, Norris was puzzled by the reigning world champion’s complaint as he felt he was still well clear and therefore didn’t impact his rival.
“They always complain. They complain about everything. That’s Red Bull,” Norris said. “I don’t even know. I was like three seconds ahead. I can’t work it out.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Norris already struggled during Friday practice and only qualified fifth, behind polesitter George Russell, title rival Oscar Piastri, Verstappen and the second Mercedes of Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
On what was supposed to be a strong circuit for the team, both McLarens were well off Russell’s pace, with Piastri 0.366s behind in third and Norris 0.428s in arrears in fifth.
“I just didn’t put it all together, I’m talking small margins, and clearly as a team the car’s not in the right place,” he reported. “We’re just not quick enough. Especially to do a 1m29.1s [like polesitter Russell] is just out of our league at the minute, just like we were to others last year, and at times this year.
“The tables have turned, and everyone seems to be struggling a lot with the front tyres this weekend. We know that’s a weakness of our car at times, and understeer is also my worst nightmare.”
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– The Autosport.com Team
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