Norris hits back at Verstappen: ‘They always complain’

©McLaren

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Lando Norris has fired back at Max Verstappen after the reigning world champion accused him of hindering his final lap in Saturday evening’s Singapore Grand Prix qualifying, dismissing the Red Bull driver’s complaints as typical of the team’s behavior.

Verstappen had been chasing his fifth pole of the season before locking up and abandoning his lap through Turn 16 – an error he later attributed to the wake from Norris’ McLaren.

But Norris wasn’t having any of it, insisting he was far enough ahead to make no difference whatsoever to his rival’s effort.

"They always complain. They complain about everything. That’s Red Bull," Norris quipped when asked about Verstappen pointed remark.

"I don’t even know, I was like three seconds ahead. I can’t work it out."

Norris’ fifth-place grid slot, behind George Russell, Oscar Piastri, Verstappen, and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, capped off what was a tricky Saturday for McLaren.

Despite hopes of contending for pole on a circuit that has traditionally suited their car, both drivers were left adrift of the front-running pace.

McLaren’s Singapore Struggle

Norris was quick to admit that McLaren simply didn’t have the speed to challenge for the front row.

"I just didn’t put it all together, I’m talking small margins, and clearly as a team the car’s not in the right place," he said.

“We’re just not quick enough. Especially to do a 1m29.1s [like polesitter Russell] is just out of our league at the minute, just like we were to others last year, and at times this year."

He pointed to front-end grip as McLaren’s main weakness under Singapore’s scorching conditions.

"The tables have turned, and everyone seems to be struggling a lot with the front tyres this weekend," Norris explained. "We know that’s a weakness of our car at times, and understeer is also my worst nightmare."

Battling Illness Under the Singapore Heat

The 25-year-old also revealed that he had been feeling unwell throughout the weekend, though he refused to use it as an excuse for his qualifying underperformance.

"If there’s anywhere you don’t want to be poorly, it’s here," Norris joked.

"So, I’m better today. Yesterday and the day before, I was struggling a little bit. It hit me pretty quickly, but it also went away relatively quickly. So I’m probably not optimal. But yeah, no excuses for today."

With tempers running high and tensions simmering between Red Bull and McLaren, the Marina Bay night race now promises an extra layer of drama – one that could see Norris and Verstappen going wheel-to-wheel in another high-stakes battle.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.