Lando Norris brutally told he's no Max Verstappen after Singapore GP crash
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Former Williams driver Ralf Schumacher has heavily criticised Lando Norris following the Singapore GP weekend, with the Briton's Sprint Race crash with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri proving he is no Max Verstappen in the German's eyes.
On the final lap of the Singapore GP Sprint, Norris made a bold lunge on the inside of Piastri at Turn 5 on an attempt to take P4. The unfortunate move saw the Aussie knocked out of the race entirely, while Norris ended up taking a sole point in P8.
A furious McLaren team principal Andrea Stella labelled the incident as "unacceptable," and despite initially defending the move post-Sprint, Norris took the blame and apologised to the team after Sunday's Grand Prix.
"I can't attempt what I did, I should never have attempted it in the first place, even if the move was on," Norris said. "I simply have to think more about the team that I represent more than myself. It was a mistake on my part, I let down the team. I've also apologised to all of them and I owe them all an apology and we'll do better next time."
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Schumacher: McLaren's Singapore GP crash proves why Norris is no Verstappen
Photo: Race Pictures
Speaking during Sky Sports Germany's coverage of the Sprint, Schumacher said not all the blame should lie with the Briton for the crash with Piastri, but the incident proves why he is not quite on the same level as Max Verstappen.
“This incident will definitely be discussed to make it clear that something like this doesn’t happen again,” Schumacher said, before adding: “I also see some fault with the team."
“So close to the end of the season, the team needs to say: ‘Antonelli’s coming, don’t mess things up now, please stay in your positions and take the points.’
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Highlighting Norris' trip into the gravel at the Bahrain GP in Malaysia the weekend prior, Schumacher claimed that for what Norris "demands," similar incidents have not befallen four-time world champion Verstappen.
“I think the disappointment from Malaysia, with that embarrassing moment in the gravel trap, is a factor, and now this on top of it," Schumacher said.
"Considering what he demands, even claiming to be as good as or better than Max Verstappen: something like this hasn’t happened to Max yet.”
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