McLaren Formula 1 star Lando Norris wins in Singapore; Australian star Daniel Ricciardo makes a point; Oscar Piastri finishes on the podium; Red Bull; Ferrari; Mercedes – MASHAHER

After the pair qualified on the front row together, Norris again showcased the McLaren’s sheer pace advantage over the once seemingly unbeatable Red Bull while, for Verstappen, second place was all about damage limitation.

Starting in fifth on the grid after what he admitted was a frustrating performance in qualifying, in-form Melbourne product Oscar Piastri – the second-youngest driver on the grid behind impressive Argentinian newcomer Franco Colapinto – finished third, proving a class above both Mercedes and Ferrari, who were found wanting.

But it was the Australian at the other stage of his career, Ricciardo, that set tongues wagging at the Marina Bay circuit after a frantic 62-lap race held in sweltering heat.

As a sign of his popularity – if the reception he received for his showing on the hit Netflix series Drive to Survive wasn’t emphatic enough – Ricciardo was also voted “driver of the day” by the fans watching on the worldwide Sky Sports coverage.

After the race, a typically honest Ricciardo said that winning “driver of the day” didn’t usually mean much, but this time was different.

“Today I can say it’s something I’m appreciative of – that one today means a little something,” he told Sky.

When asked about clinching the fastest lap at the end of the race, Ricciardo’s ever-present smile grew that little bit wider.

“If Max wins (the title) by a point, then I just guaranteed myself a nice Christmas present,” he said.

While not confirming that Lawson would replace him for the races to come, nor his exit from the category (given the potential for other race seats to open up in the future), Ricciardo said finishing at the tail-end of the grid was hardly what he envisioned when he returned to the Red Bull program after his exit from McLaren, where he was replaced by Piastri for 2023 onwards.

“I have to acknowledge why I came back after the McLaren stint – I always said I don’t want to come back just to be on the grid, I want to try and fight back at the front (of the field) and get back with Red Bull,” he said.

“Obviously it didn’t come to fruition, so then I also have to ask myself the question – what else can I achieve? What else is there to really go for?

“I put my best foot forward and let’s say maybe the fairytale ending didn’t happen, but I also have to look back on what it’s been (for) 13 or so years and, yeah, I’m proud.

“I’m at peace with it (the prospect of his F1 career ending) – at some point it comes for all of us.”

Ricciardo, the winner of eight F1 races (fourth all-time on the list of Australians) was hardly feeling sorry for himself.

“It’s what I signed up for,” he said of the brutality of the driver merry-go-round in the sport’s top flight.

Interviewed ahead of the race, Horner was asked directly about Ricciardo’s future.

“We took experience over that (Lawson getting into the car for the start of this season) because Daniel was our banker for if Sergio (Perez) were to drop the ball (in the main Red Bull team). Daniel has had a reasonable season, but it hasn’t been a stellar year. “The question is: How good is Liam?

“Sometimes difficult decisions have to be made to get those answers. We’ll sit down with all of those options available to us during this next three-week gap (before Austin, Texas).”

While team orders will likely play a key part at McLaren for the rest of the season – after the papaya outfit admitted they would favour title contender Norris over Piastri – they had no bearing in Singapore.

Norris was too blisteringly fast.

At one stage, at the start of lap 31 – the halfway mark of the race – he was still ahead of Piastri despite having already pitted for fresh rubber and with the Australian yet to make his compulsory stop.

But there were still a couple of hair-raising moments in a race that commands so much physically and mentally from its drivers.

The temperature still exceeded 30 degrees despite the event being a night race, and while setting a relentless pace on the tight, technical street circuit, Norris’ concentration slipped just enough for him to twice make contact with the concrete walls surrounding the track.

Luckily the Brit’s car sustained only minor, superficial damage and he stormed to victory by more than 20 seconds.

Piastri, meanwhile, was never really in contention.

“Qualifying … it wasn’t my greatest afternoon yesterday, so to get back to the podium is a great result,” he said.

“I feel like we had a really quick car underneath us and a good strategy to get past the Mercedes.

“Clearly the car was exceptional this weekend and (we clinched) some great points for the whole team.”

“I’m at peace with it (the prospect of his F1 career ending) – at some point it comes for all of us.”

Daniel Ricciardo on his Formula 1 mortality

After the race, Verstappen – the three-time reigning championship winner – paid tribute to Ricciardo.

“We’ve always had a great relationship, a great friendship, (and) a lot of respect for each other as well” he said of his former Red Bull teammate.

“He’s just a great guy – I get on well (with him), it just clicks.

“There’s no fake person – we just get along.

“He’ll for sure be remembered as a very fast driver, I think everyone knows that, but also as a great guy.”

The United States GP – held in Austin – is the next event on the calendar from October 18 to 20.

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