Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren MCL60. 17.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 16, Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore, Race Day.
Lando Norris reveals he hit the same wall that sent George Russell crashing into retirement on the final lap of the Singapore Grand Prix.
Having elected to not stop under the Virtual Safety Car, Norris had been promoted to second behind race leader Carlos Sainz.
But as the race approached its closing laps, the duo had the Mercedes pair for company on fresh medium tyres behind.
The Briton had managed to resist the advances of Russell when the Mercedes driver clipped the wall approaching the left-handed Turn 10 corner on the final lap, sending him straight on into the barrier.
However, Norris says that he was fortunate to not suffer the same fate as Russell, conceding that he also tagged the same wall that curtailed his compatriot’s race.
“I hit the wall at the same lap – the last lap, the same place,” Norris disclosed. “So I think he copied me and just did it even worse.”
Norris admitted he felt for Russell, whom he believes was the fastest driver during Sunday’s race, but adds his crash afforded him an easier run to the end.
“I feel for him,” he continued. “He fought a tough race, he was the quickest today, I would say. It helped me a bit. The last couple of corners, I could chill just a little bit more.”
2nd place Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren. 17.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 16, Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore, Race Day.
While Sainz initially upheld a relatively comfortable advantage out front, the Ferrari driver began to swiftly reduce his pace and fell into the clutches of Norris behind.
After Sainz revealed he had purposely handed his ex-McLaren team-mate DRS to protect his position from the charging Mercedes pair, Norris asserts the Spaniard’s strategical thinking also aided his race.
“Carlos was very generous trying to help me get DRS,” Norris remarked. “It helped my race and also helped his.
“We knew it was going to be tough as soon as the Mercedes boxed, especially with only a couple of cars for them to overtake. But we’re on the podium, P2, we had them off. We did everything we needed to do and more. So I’m super happy.”
With second place at the Marina Bay Circuit, Norris matched his best result of the year, achieved on two previous occasions at the British and Hungarian Grands Prix.
Meanwhile, McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri recovered 10 places to climb from 17th on the grid to seventh.
Keyword: Norris hit the same wall as Russell on Singapore GP final lap