In what can only be described as a roller-coaster race at the Singapore GP 2023, the F1 community witnessed a clash of tactics, speed, and just a pinch of drama on the streets of Marina Bay. But what really caught our eye was the light-hearted exchange between Lando Norris and a reporter preceding the Japanese Grand Prix.

Norris’ resilience was tested on the last lap of the Singapore GP, where he brushed the wall, but his McLaren remained unscathed. George Russell, perhaps trying a bit too hard, wasn’t as lucky. He not only clipped the wall but broke his suspension, leading to a hard hit into the wall at turn 10. This crash wiped away any hopes of a podium finish for him. Meanwhile, Norris took a well-deserved second place.

But the fun didn’t end with the race. When a reporter cheekily asked Norris about Russell tipping him as a favorite, Norris responded with a jestful, “Has he seen the rest of the season at all? Has he been watching the races?“

And to the idea that Russell might have been trying to play mind games, Norris merely shrugged, proving that a little banter never hurts, especially when you’ve just secured a podium finish. Here’s looking forward to more such light-hearted exchanges and on-track action in the coming races. And as always, in the world of F1, expect the unexpected!

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After the thrills and spills of the Singapore GP 2023 and the laughter still lingering…

McLaren turns heads in Suzuka, but Lando Norris wants more!

McLaren’s dynamic duo, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, painted a promising picture on the first day of running in Suzuka. But while the papaya beast’s pace raised eyebrows, both drivers flagged a need for some TLC. Norris even went so far as to say the “car feels pretty all over the place”.

Given how Max Verstappen and George Russell, big names in the F1 circus, have tipped their hats to McLaren’s potential in Japan, especially with Russell giving Norris a special shoutout, the papaya squad seems to have hit the ground rolling.

In Friday’s practice, Norris secured the third spot not once, but twice. In FP1, he lagged Verstappen by over seven-tenths but narrowed it down in FP2 to just four and a half tenths. But did he feel like the king of the road? “No, not really,” quipped Norris (as per formula1.com), adding that while the pace was impressive, the car felt like a “handful” to control.

Any hopes for a pole position? Norris laughed it off, saying challenging the Red Bulls might be “quite too far”. However, he’s got his eyes set on giving Mercedes and the Ferraris a run for their money. All in all, it’s an optimistic start for the McLaren team. Yet, the weekend has only just begun. So, buckle up, folks. Suzuka’s about to heat up!

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