Lando Norris has responded sharply to Max Verstappen following their tense qualifying encounter at the Singapore Grand Prix. The McLaren and Red Bull drivers found themselves entangled in controversy after Verstappen’s final flying lap was disrupted, prompting visible frustration from the reigning champion. While Mercedes’ George Russell claimed pole position, Verstappen’s irritation was directed toward Norris, whom he accused of impeding his lap.
During qualifying, Norris was easing off towards the pit entry, positioned roughly three seconds ahead of Verstappen. The Dutchman, approaching at high speed, locked up and failed to make the apex of Turn 16, ultimately abandoning his lap. Red Bull’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase could be heard remarking over the team radio, “You can thank your mate for that,” directly referencing the British driver’s actions. Verstappen’s immediate response was filled with visible discontent, as he gestured toward Norris on track and later voiced his displeasure in post-session interviews.
Verstappen told reporters that the incident would not be forgotten, noting, “That’s what happens when a car is cruising two seconds in front. That will be remembered.” Despite expressing disappointment over missing pole, he maintained optimism about Red Bull’s overall performance, emphasizing their competitiveness throughout the weekend. The Dutchman, eyeing a third consecutive victory following triumphs in Italy and Azerbaijan, aimed to continue his winning streak despite the setback.
Meanwhile, Lando Norris downplayed the controversy, dismissing Red Bull’s frustration as typical overreaction. Speaking to Motorsport.com, he quipped, “That’s Red Bull. They always complain about everything. I was three seconds ahead—I can’t work it out.” The McLaren driver, who will start fifth on the grid, admitted his own performance fell short of perfection, attributing it to minor execution errors and acknowledging that the team still had adjustments to make to the car’s setup.
As the rivalry between the two intensifies, Norris remains determined to defend his position and close the performance gap in the championship standings. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, currently leads the Drivers’ Championship with a commanding 324 points, while Norris sits ahead of Verstappen by 44 points. The upcoming race promises heightened tension between the two contenders, with both drivers eager to prove their dominance under Singapore’s challenging night lights.
