Lando Norris sent a strong message about his championship credentials with a dominant win at the Singapore Grand Prix, but the real headlines belonged to his former teammate Daniel Ricciardo. Norris’ victory was nearly flawless, aside from a close call with the wall at Turn 10 on Lap 45. His win marked a significant statement, especially given the setbacks he faced at the two races between Zandvoort and Singapore.
Norris’ performance consigned several narratives to the scrapheap, including the notion that he bottles it when starting from first. He nailed his getaway off the line from pole and held the lead into Turn 1, demonstrating his growth as a driver. His teammate Oscar Piastri, dubbed F1’s champion-in-waiting after his spectacular Baku win, showed his overtaking prowess in his late charge back from sixth to third, but Norris remains the more polished of McLaren’s two drivers.
The real drama unfolded in the closing laps, as Ricciardo claimed the fastest lap on the race’s final circuit, robbing Norris and McLaren of a bonus championship point. The move sparked controversy, with suggestions of collusion between Red Bull’s two teams. Ricciardo’s late stop was seen as a “thank you and good luck” gesture, but it also raised questions about the lack of clarity around his future.
Ricciardo’s situation has been shrouded in uncertainty all week, with reports suggesting he would be replaced by Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson after Singapore. Despite his underwhelming form this year, Ricciardo remains one of F1’s most popular drivers, and his potential departure has sparked a power struggle between Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and racing advisor Helmut Marko.
The controversy surrounding Ricciardo’s late lap has sparked debate about the issue of A- and B-teams in F1, with McLaren CEO Zak Brown seeking clarity on the situation. Brown has previously flagged concerns about Red Bull and RB sharing the same owners, and it’s likely he will raise the issue again after Singapore.
As for Ricciardo, while no one at Red Bull was willing to confirm his departure, it was clear he felt like he had just taken part in his last F1 race. His emotional interviews after the race, as well as the impromptu guard of honour by RB’s guests, suggested that his time in F1 may be coming to an end.
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