Singapore GP: Lando Norris says 'tables have turned' on McLaren and explains struggles after qualifying
Key Takeaways
- Lando Norris qualified fifth for the Singapore Grand Prix, missing expectations for McLaren dominance.
- Norris stated that "the tables have turned" on McLaren's recent strong form, suggesting they are no longer the team to beat.
- George Russell took pole position, with Oscar Piastri qualifying third, ahead of Norris.
- Norris cited car issues, specifically understeer and front-tire struggles, as major hindrances to his performance.
- Norris is now 25 points behind teammate Piastri in the Drivers' Championship and faces a difficult race due to overtaking challenges.
McLaren's Lando Norris voiced frustration after qualifying only fifth for the Singapore Grand Prix, stating that the team's expected pace advantage has vanished, leading him to feel "the tables have turned" against them. The qualifying session saw Mercedes' George Russell take pole position, with championship leader Oscar Piastri qualifying third, leaving Norris over three tenths off the pace. Norris cited issues with understeer and the car not being in the right place as major factors, noting that front-tire struggles seem prevalent among competitors this weekend. Given the difficulty of overtaking in Singapore, Norris faces a significant challenge to fight for the victory on Sunday and must rely on luck at the start. He is currently trailing Piastri by 25 points in the Drivers' Championship, and this qualifying result exacerbates the pressure on him in the title race against his teammate. Norris admitted he didn't put his lap together perfectly but emphasized the car's current lack of outright pace compared to the front runners.
