Max Verstappen accused Lando Norris of ruining his final qualifying lap at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Four-time world champion Verstappen was about to improve his time and challenge the pole position on the final lap of Q3 when he met Mercedes’ George Russell and the slow moving Norris.
Verstappen canceled the final flight lap and missed the poles in 0.182 seconds.
After the checkered flag, Verstappen race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase comes over the radio and says, “You can thank your peers. Hard rack, P2.”
Verstappen vowed to frustration accordingly.
Speaking at Parc Ferme shortly after qualifying, Verstappen said the incident was “noted” and “remembered” with a clear warning to Norris.
“That’s what happens when the car is cruising two seconds ago in front of you,” the Red Bull driver said.
“That’s been pointed out, and it’s also remembered.”
Verstappen replied when interviewer David Coulthard asked which driver he was in the way. “It’s not an Oscar!
“So that was a bit of a disappointment. Otherwise, I think it might be closer to Paul.
“It’s always been very exciting in qualifying, and of course I’m disappointed that it wasn’t the first, but this weekend has been a really good thing so far.
“The cars are very competitive so it’s very good that we’re second again.”
Is Max Verstappen right to be frustrated?
2009 F1 World Champion Jenson Button analyzed the incident and Verstappen’s responses, saying:
“I think he’s frustrated. Rand didn’t move before Shikane. He’s not within the regulations, but when he got into the corner and took him offline, it obviously hurt his front end.”
Norris ultimately came fifth on the Grand Prix grid on Sunday, coming second to McLaren teammates and championship rival Oscar Piastri.
Verstappen is Norris’ Adrift with 69 points for Piastri and 44 points in the championship, with seven rounds remaining this season.