Norris, Dominance and Fortune in Singapore
He won by dominating thanks to a race pace that was unrivaled by all his rivals. But not without risks: Sunday night at the Singapore GP was less peaceful for Lando Norris than one might think limiting himself to looking at the finishing order. The 24-year-old McLaren driver first touched the barriers at low speed on Turn 8, bending without breaking his front wing, while in the final phase of the race he pinched the outside wall with his right tyres, before taking his MCL38 into Turn 10. A similar dynamic, but with evidently very different outcomes, to the one that led George Russell to the accident at the end of the 2023 edition. For this reason, according to the 2016 world champion, Nico RosbergNorris’ victory was deserved, but also decidedly lucky.
Singapore GP, Nico Rosberg’s comment
“First of all – the former Mercedes driver told the microphones of Sky Germany in the post-race – I have to speak positively. Norris rode great, he was on another planet compared to everyone else and showed sensational speed all weekend. To keep his title chances alive, he did everything perfectly. On the other hand, he had a huge advantage and made three mistakes, kissing the wall on two occasions. And both times he was very close to ending his race. Usually, if the front wing breaks, the victory is gone so he was extremely lucky.. And in the second episode, there is the example of Russell who, due to the same contact with the wall last year, ended up out of the race. It only took a few centimetres more to puncture the tyre and end up there”.
“Three errors with a 30-second lead – continued Rosberg – they are really unusual to see, so, if he really wants to become world champion he must avoid these things. To win the title, everything must be perfect. I dare say that it is not so difficult if you have this speed and also this advantage over your opponents. You have to be relaxed and bring home the victory, it is not so complicated. I am a little surprised, but it must also be said that we have often seen situations like this with him. He’s very fast, but he often makes small mistakes here and there.. Not that this could be a problem in his fight for the drivers’ championship.”.
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