Ricciardo denies ‘lucky guy’ Norris in F1 farewell – International media reacts

Lando Norris cruised to victory in the Singapore Grand Prix, reducing Max Verstappen’s lead in the championship to 52 points. 

The McLaren driver finally made a good start from pole position and led every lap at the Marina Bay Circuit, 21 seconds ahead of Verstappen in second. 

Oscar Piastri completed the podium after a strong drive from fifth on the grid. For the first time in the history of the Singapore GP, not one yellow flag was flown. 

Daniel Ricciardo, in what could be his last F1 race, snatched the fastest lap point on the final lap, helping Verstappen. 

What did the rest of the world make of the race? Find out as RacingNews365 takes you through the headlines of some of the biggest global publications.

🇬🇧 The Times – ‘Dominant Norris piles pressure on Verstappen with win in Singapore’

Starting off in the United Kingdom, The Times has focused on Norris’ dominant victory in Singapore. 

The McLaren driver was in a league of his own throughout the weekend and was in cruise control during the race. 

However, he did make light contact with a wall twice during the race, causing minor damage to his front wing. 

Despite his impressive performance, only seven points were taken out of Verstappen’s lead, with the Dutchman having been stronger than expected. 

🇮🇹 La Gazzetta dello Sport – ‘Norris, a dominance that may not be enough. And Ferrari’s regrets’

In Italy, La Gazzetta dello Sport has discussed how Norris’ current dominance over Verstappen might not be enough to win the F1 title. 

It was expected that Norris would reduce Verstappen’s lead by more than just seven points, given how difficult Red Bull expected Singapore to be. 

As a result, if Norris wins all the remaining races and sprint, he will still not beat Verstappen to the title should the Dutchman finish second in all remaining events. 

Ferrari also look out of the fight, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc having both faltered in qualifying, ruining any hope of a rostrum.

🇫🇷 L’Equipe – ‘Lando Norris after his victory in Singapore: “The car was really incredible”‘

In France, L’Equipe also focused on Norris’ emphatic victory at the Marina Bay Circuit. From start to finish, Norris was exceptional in Singapore. 

The McLaren driver was just as dominant as he was after the summer break in Zandvoort, where he also finished ahead of Verstappen by a considerable margin. 

McLaren’s MCL38 is the strongest car currently on the grid, with Norris having described it as “really incredible”.

🇳🇱 De Telegraaf – ‘Red Bull team boss Christian Horner jokes about Lando Norris: “Lucky guy”‘

In the Netherlands, De Telegraaf highlighted comments made after the race by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. 

Horner told Verstappen to tell Norris that he was a “lucky guy”, for surviving two brushes with the wall. 

Norris brushed the wall at Turn 10 and Turn 14, with him being fortunate that neither incident ended his race. 

He locked-up going into Turn 14 on lap 29 and just got his car to turn in time, although very minor front wing damage was sustained.

🇩🇪 BILD – ‘Red Bull accused of cheating’

In Germany, BILD discuss claims that Red Bull cheated on the final lap of the Singapore GP. 

Norris had been set to claim the fastest lap point which would have reduced Verstappen’s lead in the drivers’ championship to 51 points. 

However, ahead of the penultimate lap, Ricciardo pitted from P18 for a set of soft tyres. The Australian went onto set the fastest lap on the final lap, taking the bonus point away from Norris. 

Some in the paddock were unhappy with this, as Ricciardo is a driver in Red Bull’s pool and races for RB. McLaren CEO Zak Brown was not happy and believed that Red Bull and RB had worked together.

🇦🇺 Herald Sun – ‘Ricciardo’s final heroic act as axe hovers over F1 comeback’

And finally, in Australian, the Herald Sun has also discussed Ricciardo claiming the fastest lap on the final lap, in what might have been his final F1 race. 

An announcement is expected this week that Liam Lawson will replace Ricciardo alongside Yuki Tsunoda at RB for the remainder of the season. 

It is unknown yet whether Ricciardo will return next year, although the fan favourite was very emotional in the media pen after finishing the race in Singapore.