F1: Norris wins in Singapore and finally converts pole position to reduce his deficit to Verstappen

Briton takes solid win. MAXPPP – TOM WHITE

Briton Lando Norris (McLaren) won the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, converting his pole position into a victory for the first time and reducing the gap to Max Verstappen in the world championship.

In the stifling heat of the Marina Bay street circuit, the Briton beat the Dutchman by more than 20 seconds, while his Australian teammate Oscar Piastri (McLaren) took third place.

Norris has therefore reduced the gap with Verstappen by seven points, which is now 52 points with six Grands Prix remaining in the season. Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who could be ousted from Racing Bulls in the coming weeks, in fact snatched the fastest lap in the race in extremis to prevent the McLaren driver from scoring another point.

“It was an incredible race, I had a few moments that were a bit heated and tense, but otherwise I controlled the race well. The car was flying today! With Oscar's podium (Piastri), it's a very good day for the team”, the 24-year-old Englishman stressed.

Verstappen limits the damage again 

Even though he didn't win for the eighth time in a row, Verstappen did the essential by taking second place, which allows him to limit the damage before a break of almost four weeks.

"I did my best. The first stint was quite difficult, the second was better, I felt better. After the complicated start to the weekend, being second is a good thing even if obviously we are not happy not to win", said "Mad Max".

Behind this trio, George Russell (Mercedes) took fourth place after resisting well the attacks of the Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) at the end of the race. Starting in ninth position, the latter drove a solid race. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), who was third on the grid, dropped back to sixth after a failed strategy from his team, which caused him to stop too early.

The top 10 is completed by the Spaniards Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), the German Nico Hülkenberg (Haas) and the Mexican Sergio Pérez (Red Bull). While Esteban Ocon, 13th, and Pierre Gasly, 17th, finished outside the points for Alpine.