Singapore GP: Lando Norris apologises after collision dashes McLaren sprint hopes

Reigning world champion Lando Norris has apologised to McLaren after a final lap collision with teammate Oscar Piastri ended their hopes of a podium finish in a chaotic Singapore Grand Prix sprint on Saturday.

The two McLaren drivers were closing on Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who was struggling with tyre degradation in the closing stages of the 20 lap sprint, when the incident occurred on the final lap.

Norris, running fifth behind Piastri in fourth, tried to pass his teammate but clipped the Australian’s rear tyre with his front wheel. sending both cars spinning and handing Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli fourth place.

“Sorry about that. Obviously I didn’t want that to happen but I thought I was fully alongside. ​I just ran out ‌of space at the apex but I was there,” Norris said over the team radio.

Norris limped across the line in eighth to take the last point on offer, while Piastri was forced to retire. He was one of nine cars that failed to finish, the most retirements ever seen in a Formula One sprint race.

“I’d rather just go back and review it,” Norris told.

“I apologised to them ‌that one of the cars is out but, like I said, the rest of it we’ll go review.”

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Piastri said he hadn’t seen the incident clearly enough to comment on it, but played down its importance, noting that neither of them was running in a position to score big points..

“From where I sit, ‌it’s for fourth and fifth for a sprint race, so I’m ​not that bothered either way,” Piastri said.

“Just obviously it’s a lot of work now for ⁠the team to get both cars fixed, ahead of qualifying for ⁠Sunday’s race. Just a shame for the team.”

Both McLaren drivers were called in front of the stewards following the collision.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took the sprint victory, which lifted him above Norris and up to fifth in the drivers championship standings.