Lando Norris believes McLaren is now clearly the fourth-fastest team in Formula 1 after finishing fourth in the Singapore Grand Prix, behind the stronger pace shown by Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari. The reigning world champion said fourth place was the maximum result available at Marina Bay and called for upgrades to make the car both faster and easier to drive.
McLaren nevertheless recovered from the drama of Saturday’s Sprint, when Norris collided with Oscar Piastri on the final lap. Both drivers finished inside the top five in Sunday’s Grand Prix and improved on their starting positions, even though the team missed its target of reaching the podium.
Lando Norris says McLaren is now fourth-fastest team
McLaren’s Singapore Grand Prix was considerably more positive than its disastrous ending to the Sprint. Norris and Oscar Piastri both secured top-five finishes, but the result also highlighted the performance deficit the team currently faces against its main rivals.
Norris’ strategy appeared capable of putting him in third place. The British driver had closed onto the rear of Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari while the seven-time world champion was struggling badly with tyre management.
However, with nine laps remaining, both Norris and Hamilton ran wide at Turn 1. Kimi Antonelli immediately seized the opportunity to pass both drivers and went on to finish third.
Norris: “Fourth place was the maximum we could achieve”
“Fourth place was the maximum we could achieve and I’m satisfied that we maximised the result,” Lando Norris said. “It was a demanding and hot race, with a car that was difficult to drive: every corner was a battle.”
“Our pace was decent and the team did everything it could, but at the moment we are clearly the fourth force in the field. Red Bull has made a big step forward, Mercedes and Ferrari were strong and, without upgrades, we cannot close that gap.”
The assessment represents a significant admission from the reigning world champion. McLaren may have placed both cars inside the top five at Marina Bay, but Norris believes the competitive order currently leaves the team behind three rivals on outright performance.
Norris regrets Hamilton battle and Antonelli pass
Norris was pleased with the final position but less satisfied with how the race unfolded, particularly during the closing stages.
“Overall, then, I’m satisfied with the result, but a little disappointed with how we got there. I was a little impatient in the fight with Lewis and I think that, without that mistake, I would eventually have overtaken him.”
“Also, even though Kimi’s overtake was predictable given his pace and fresher tyres, I should have put up more resistance.”
The Turn 1 mistake was therefore particularly frustrating because Norris believed he still had an opportunity to pass Hamilton and fight for a podium position. Instead, the error allowed Antonelli to move ahead of both cars and secure third place.
The result also added another valuable podium to Antonelli’s championship campaign, with the latest title situation available through the Formula 1 driver standings.
McLaren needs upgrades to fight for podiums and victories
Norris made clear that strategy alone could not have delivered more from the Singapore Grand Prix. In his view, McLaren needs additional car performance before it can consistently challenge the teams currently ahead.
“We have to make the car faster and easier to drive; the strategy couldn’t have done any more. We’ll keep pushing to get upgrades so that we can fight for the podium and, ultimately, for victory.”
The verdict puts additional focus on McLaren’s development programme as Formula 1 moves into the closing phase of the season. Red Bull’s recent progress, combined with strong performances from Mercedes and Ferrari, has changed the competitive picture around the front of the grid.
The next opportunity for teams to respond comes at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, the next round on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar.
Norris apologises to McLaren after Singapore Sprint collision
Norris also returned to the previous day’s Sprint collision with Oscar Piastri and apologised to the team for the consequences of the incident.
“Finally, I also have to apologise to the team for letting them down yesterday. I apologised to all the people I represent and to everyone who works hard to organise everything and allow me to race.”
“I’ll work hard for the rest of the season to make it up to them; we’ll continue working hard and pushing together.”
The apology followed the final-lap contact between the two McLaren drivers in the Sprint, an incident that had created immediate tension inside the garage. Sunday’s double top-five therefore represented an important recovery, even if Norris’ assessment of McLaren’s current position showed that the team’s larger performance concerns remain unresolved.
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