Autobayng News Team
Lando Norris insists he did not deliberately delay Max Verstappen at the end of today’s qualifying session for the Singapore Grand Prix.
Verstappen claimed he was delayed by his rival when he gained on Norris at the end of his final lap. The Red Bull driver went wide at turn 16, then abandoned his lap and gestured angrily at his rival.
Verstappen’s race engineer told him “you can thank your mate for that.” But asked whether he intentionally delayed Verstappen, Norris said: “Holding Max? No, I didn’t know about it.”
Norris will start Sunday’s race from fifth on the grid, two places behind team mate Oscar Piastri. He admitted he was surprised that McLaren were not as competitive in Singapore as they have been at other tracks.
“In some ways, yes, because I think we got a little bit used to it,” he told Viaplay. “But at the same time we’re ready for anyone to be ahead.
“I think with the track struggles this weekend, getting the front tyres to work and having a good front of the car, we know on any track where the front tyres struggle Mercedes are always the quickest. They’re the quickest here again this weekend so it’s not a surprise.”
Having won last year’s race at the Marina Bay track, Norris said their form in Singapore this year has been a disappointment.
“Of course, as a track, we were good here last year and we expected a little better today. We just weren’t quick enough, the car was not quick enough. It’s frustrating because as amazing as the whole year [has been], it feels like today we just weren’t quick enough, so it doesn’t matter if we won most of the races this year, today it’s disappointing that we don’t have a good enough car.”
“The others are doing a better job,” he added.
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