McLaren Tightens Grip on Championship as Norris Shines from Pole

McLaren has extended its Constructors' Championship lead by 21 points, as British driver Lando Norris finally broke his pole position curse. Not only did Norris maintain his lead into the second lap, but he also appeared to cruise effortlessly to his third victory in Formula One.

Lando Norris’s pole position record leading into this weekend was far from impressive. The young Brit had yet to hold onto the lead by the end of the first lap in any of his previous pole starts. While this didn’t stop him from securing a win in Zandvoort earlier this year, it’s certainly not a stat to brag about.

Whether it's nerves or just bad luck, we’ll never know. What we do know is that this time, Norris seemed determined to shake off that narrative. From the moment the lights went out in Singapore, he was in control, executing a flawless start and holding his position with precision. Already, his practice starts earlier in the day had looked clean and measured, a sign that the McLaren driver had found his rhythm, and when it mattered most, he delivered.

On lap 29, Lando Norris made the McLaren pit wall sweat even more in the already humid Singaporean night as he brushed the barriers with his front wing, a mistake that could have easily ended his race. Just when the McLaren garage might have been getting too comfortable with a lead of over 20 seconds, Norris kissed the wall again a few laps later. Despite some minor damage to the car, Lando Norris crossed the finish line first in front of Max Verstappen in second.

With this victory, Lando Norris not only secured his 3rd win but also reinforced McLaren's dominance in the Constructors' Championship. The team has now extended its lead by 21 points, creating a substantial cushion as the season enters its final stretch. 

This performance underscores McLaren's resurgence as a top contender, a remarkable turnaround after years of struggles. 

Norris’s teammate, Oscar Piastri, also had a stellar race, finishing in the podium positions in third. In contrast, Max Verstappen, who claimed second place, once again found himself in a familiar scenario: singlehandedly racking up points for Red Bull while his teammate finished in tenth. This pattern, reminiscent of past seasons, highlights the ongoing challenges within the Red Bull camp, emphasising Verstappen's crucial role in maintaining their championship hopes.