In a thrilling turn of events, Lando Norris clinched victory at the Singapore Grand Prix, setting a welcome precedent after eight previous attempts from pole position had faltered. Norris took control from the very start, holding the lead into Turn 1 and maintaining it by the end of the opening lap. By the end of the race, his winning margin had stretched to an impressive 20.945 seconds.
However, the race wasn't entirely without drama for the McLaren driver. On Lap 45, Norris experienced a heart-stopping moment as he narrowly avoided contact with the wall at Turn 10. Despite this scare, he managed to bring his car home safely, a testament to his composure under pressure.
Close but Not Close Enough
With six races and two sprint events left in the season, Norris remains 52 points behind current leader Max Verstappen. It underscores the competitiveness of the current Formula 1 landscape and highlights the uphill battle Norris faces in the remaining races. Nevertheless, his performance in Singapore showcased both his skill and determination.
Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri had an impressive outing, starting from the sixth position and finishing in third place. It was a notable achievement for the young driver, marking him as a talent to watch in the future. Conversely, Daniel Ricciardo's race was a stark contrast. Starting from a lower position, Ricciardo finished 18th but made headlines by setting the fastest lap on the race's final circuit. Unfortunately, he didn't earn a bonus point for this feat as he did not finish within the top ten.
A Potential Farewell
There is speculation that Ricciardo's late pit stop and resulting fastest lap might mark the final act of his Formula 1 career. Team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged, "Given this may have been Daniel's last race, we wanted to give him the chance to savour it and go out with the fastest lap." The move sparked diverse reactions within the F1 community, especially among McLaren's leadership. McLaren CEO Zak Brown said, "That's a nice A- /B-Team sporting thing that I didn't think was allowed ... but hey, that's not the first time we've seen it, probably won't be the last."
Ricciardo himself reflected on his career, expressing a mix of pride and acceptance. "I'm proud of the career. I tried to become world champion, I tried to become the best at something in the world," he stated. "I think it is a tall task that we ask from ourselves, some achieve it, some don't. In the end, if I came up a little short I also can't be too hard on myself, happy with the effort I put in and for that there's no sadness or feeling of regret or what could have been."
The Implications for McLaren
Ricciardo's performances this season, including his latest in Singapore, are part of a broader evaluation within Red Bull, as Christian Horner pointed out. "Well, we've now got a period of time where we'll evaluate all of the relevant performances of the drivers," Horner explained. "It is a natural break in the season to reflect on that, and there's a bigger picture obviously, beyond Daniel. So he's just one part of the jigsaw."
There is ongoing speculation about Ricciardo's replacement, with Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson being a potential candidate. The team's performance evaluations in the coming weeks will likely provide more clarity on this front.
One point of contention that arose from the Singapore Grand Prix was Ricciardo's fastest lap, which ultimately prevented Norris and McLaren from securing an additional championship point. Zak Brown made his concerns clear, noting, "I'll certainly ask some questions. It's something I've spoken about in the past, and I think it illustrates that it does happen, because I think you wouldn't have made that pit stop to go for that. It's not going to get anyone a point, so I think it does illustrate the issue around that topic."
Closing Reflections
Reflecting on the eventful race, Ricciardo acknowledged the fans' gesture in voting him the Driver of the Day, adding a sentimental touch to what could be his swansong. "I'll be honest, I don't think the Driver of the Day normally means much to us drivers. It's nice, but it's not something to brag about. But I think today ... the fans read the media and know this could be my last one, so I think that's a really nice gesture from them and today it is appreciated," Ricciardo shared.
Finally, Max Verstappen, F1's current front-runner, had warm words for his fellow competitor. "He's a great guy, honestly. We always had a great relationship. We had a sporting rivalry in the team. He will be remembered as a great driver, as a great person also. He has a great character. I think it's very rare if someone hates him," Verstappen said.
As the Formula 1 season continues to unfold, the exploits at the Singapore Grand Prix provide much to consider for both drivers and fans alike. The event not only showcased remarkable driving skills but also highlighted the underlying dynamics and tensions within the racing teams.