Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Martin Brundle has delivered his verdict on Max Verstappen’s criticism of Lando Norris during qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix.
During his final flying lap, the four-time champion came up behind Norris at the final chicane, who was on a cool-down lap at the time. While the British driver didn’t officially impede Verstappen, he argued that it hindered his final lap.
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“You can thank your mate for that. Hard luck,” Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase said over the team radio after the Dutchman secured second place on the starting grid.
Verstappen told David Coulthard after the session: “That’s what happens when there’s a car in front of you just cruising two seconds in front. That’s noted, it will be remembered as well.”
Speaking on Sky Sports F1 ahead of the race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, Brundle dismissed the claim that Norris was to blame for Verstappen not taking pole position from Mercedes’ George Russell.
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“Not really, it didn’t help him. We saw cars in qualifying zig-zagging through cars. I don’t buy into it,” the former driver noted.
“Max’s middle sector wasn’t particularly strong and Lando was there to blame. Lando didn’t help him but I don’t think he can blame not getting pole position on that.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Verstappen explained later on Saturday evening that he didn’t want to make the situation bigger than it was.
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“Well, first of all, I want to say that, of course, George did a very good lap,” he said to Sky Sports F1. “When I heard the lap time starting my lap, I knew that that was a very good lap. But besides that, I think we had good pace.
“I was up on my final lap. But yeah, of course, what happens then in the final sector is a bit unfortunate, but I also don’t want to make it bigger than it is. There’s no need to go into detail here.”
Photos from Singapore GP – RaceMax Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Alexander Albon, Williams, Jackie Stewart
Alexander Albon, Williams, Jackie Stewart
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Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
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Alexandra Saint Mleux arrives in the Paddock
Alexandra Saint Mleux arrives in the Paddock
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Alexandra Saint Mleux arrives in the Paddock
Alexandra Saint Mleux arrives in the Paddock
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Mika Hakkinen arrives at the paddock
Mika Hakkinen arrives at the paddock
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
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Carmen Montero Mundt with George Russell, Mercedes
Carmen Montero Mundt with George Russell, Mercedes
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Alexandra Saint Mleux and Rebecca Donaldson
Alexandra Saint Mleux and Rebecca Donaldson
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Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal of Haas F1 gives a tour to Smashing Pumpkins in the garage
Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal of Haas F1 gives a tour to Smashing Pumpkins in the garage
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Paddock Club prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore
Paddock Club prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
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Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Alexander Albon, Williams
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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George Russell, Mercedes
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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The busy grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore
The busy grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore
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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
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A view of the city at dusk
A view of the city at dusk
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Franco Colapinto, Alpine
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
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A view of the city at dusk
A view of the city at dusk
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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Alexander Albon, Williams
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
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Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
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Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
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Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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