Formula 1: Lando Norris cuts seven more points from Max Verstappen's lead with Singapore Grand Prix win
Lando Norris secured a straightforward victory against Max Verstappen and the rest of the competitors at the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)
Lando Norris is steadily closing in on Max Verstappen's lead in points.
Norris reduced Verstappen’s advantage by another seven points on Sunday with a commanding victory at the Singapore Grand Prix. Starting from pole position, Norris maintained his lead throughout the race, finishing almost 30 seconds ahead of everyone else. After pacing himself in the initial laps, he accelerated away from Verstappen and the other competitors, making the race quite uneventful.
Verstappen took second place, finishing ahead of Oscar Piastri, who is Norris' McLaren teammate, in a race that had no caution periods. Before the race, Verstappen held a 59-point advantage over Norris, but that margin has now decreased to 52 points with six races remaining.
Scoring seven points for each of the six races won’t be enough for Norris to surpass Verstappen, even when considering the upcoming sprint races this season. Norris will need some misfortunes to hit the reigning three-time champion and will have to perform perfectly from here on out. However, the current points standings also illustrate that Verstappen is unlikely to claim the championship in the same dominant way he did in 2022 and 2023.
Daniel Ricciardo’s quickest lap allows Max Verstappen to secure second place behind Lando Norris in every upcoming Grand Prix and Sprint, without needing to worry about the extra points for the fastest lap, and still claim the drivers' championship title. #F1 #SingaporeGP
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 22, 2024
Red Bull has become a notable underdog in the race for the constructors' title. Just a week ago in Azerbaijan, McLaren gained a 20-point advantage, and they extended that lead in Singapore. Verstappen's teammate, Sergio Perez, struggled and finished in 10th place, allowing McLaren to increase their lead by 21 points.
Following Piastri, George Russell from Mercedes managed to fend off Charles Leclerc for the fourth position, while Lewis Hamilton lagged behind in sixth. The Mercedes drivers began the race from the second row, positioned right behind Norris and Verstappen. Hamilton chose to start on soft tires from third place, a choice that didn’t pay off. He failed to gain any positions during the first lap and ended up having to make an early pit stop, much sooner than the other frontrunners who had opted for medium tires.
This put Hamilton at a disadvantage during the latter half of the race, as his tires were older than those of the drivers surrounding him.
Norris had the opportunity to reduce Verstappen's lead by eight points, but Daniel Ricciardo earned the fastest lap of the race on a set of soft tires right before the finish. Although Ricciardo was not in contention for points, his team at VCARB likely brought him in for a pit stop to secure the fastest lap — and the extra point — to minimize Norris's score and assist Verstappen.
Ricciardo might exit F1 after setting the fastest lap. It's widely known that Liam Lawson, the reserve driver for Red Bull, could step in for him for the remainder of the season. This topic has been openly talked about multiple times during the Sky Sports coverage. Red Bull and its junior team, VCARB, have almost a month to finalize their choice since the next race at the Circuit of the Americas is scheduled for October 20th.
1. Lando Norris, representing McLaren
2. Max Verstappen, the driver for Red Bull Racing
3. Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, driving for McLaren, has quickly made a name for himself in the racing world. With his impressive skills and determination, he has shown that he is not just a newcomer but a formidable competitor on the track. His time with McLaren is characterized by significant growth and ambitious performances, making fans eager to see what he will achieve next in his budding career.
4. George Russell, representing Mercedes
5. Charles Leclerc, representing Ferrari
6. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes Lewis Hamilton, a key figure in the world of Formula One, drives for the Mercedes team. Known for his exceptional skill and determination on the track, Hamilton has consistently been a top contender in the championship. His partnership with Mercedes has led to numerous victories and record-breaking achievements, solidifying his status as one of the greatest drivers in the sport's history.
7. Carlos Sainz, representing Ferrari
8. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Fernando Alonso, a renowned driver, represents Aston Martin in the current racing season.
9. Nico Hulkenberg, representing Haas
10. Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing
11. Franco Colapinto, Williams Racing
12. Yuki Tsunoda, VCARB
13. Esteban Ocon, Alpine Racing Team
14. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Lance Stroll, a driver for Aston Martin, has been making waves on the track with his performances. Known for his determination and skill, he continues to showcase his talent in the competitive world of Formula 1. Each race offers him a chance to demonstrate his abilities and contribute to the team's success.
15. Zhou Guanyu, Sauber
16. Valtteri Bottas, driving for Sauber
17. Pierre Gasly, Alpine Racing
18. Daniel Ricciardo, VCARB Daniel Ricciardo is associated with VCARB.
Uncategorized: Kevin Magnussen (Haas) and Alex Albon (Williams)
