Source – Total Motorsports
Lando Norris took a third career win in Singapore last weekend – but it almost went wrong for him on a few times.
Nico Rosberg has expressed his bewilderment over Lando Norris’ unexpected errors during the recent Singapore Grand Prix, despite the McLaren driver celebrating a remarkable victory. Norris showcased his exceptional talent on the Marina Bay Street Circuit, dominating the race and finishing nearly 21 seconds ahead of reigning champion Max Verstappen, a performance that further closed the gap in the championship standings. However, what should have been a moment of pure triumph was marred by a series of close calls that left Rosberg scratching his head in disbelief.
Reflecting on Norris’ performance, Rosberg shared his thoughts during a discussion on the Sky F1 podcast. He noted that while Norris’ overall execution was impressive, his mistakes were uncharacteristic and concerning. “It was very strange, the mistakes that he was doing in the race,” Rosberg stated, highlighting the incidents where Norris collided with the wall not once, but twice. Each contact was significant enough to nearly end his race, and Rosberg remarked on how fortunate the young driver was to avoid a retirement that could have proved detrimental to his championship aspirations.
Adding to the drama, Norris also found himself in a precarious position during a hairpin turn, where he not only ran wide but also brushed his front wing against the barrier. While he managed to escape without major damage, the incident served as a reminder of how quickly things can change in Formula 1. “He went miles off the track in a hairpin, out-braking – but not a small out-braking, a massive out-braking,” Rosberg noted, further emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Norris’ struggles were compounded by another near-miss when he was attempting to navigate past a backmarker. This was reminiscent of George Russell’s unfortunate crash at the same spot during last year’s race, underscoring the unpredictable nature of street circuits. Rosberg’s observations pointed to three distinct moments where Norris’ focus seemed to falter, a scenario he found perplexing for a driver of Norris’ caliber. “That was a bit strange,” Rosberg remarked. “I know Singapore is so hard, concentration, physically, it’s so, so tough, but I don’t know what it’s down to that there are so many little mistakes.”
Despite these setbacks, Norris currently sits just 52 points behind Verstappen in the drivers’ standings, with six races left in the season, including several sprint weekends that offer additional points. Rosberg, however, stressed the importance of addressing these lapses if Norris aims to mount a serious challenge for the championship. “I can’t remember myself or a Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton, when leading so comfortably with 30 seconds, making three major mistakes like that,” he remarked.
As the season progresses, it’s clear that while Norris has the talent and speed to compete at the highest level, consistency will be key to his success. Rosberg concluded with a note of encouragement, indicating that if Norris can refine his approach and “iron out” these errors, he could well be a formidable contender for the title. In the cutthroat world of Formula 1, where every point matters, learning from mistakes is crucial, and for Norris, the time to refine his craft is now.
