In an impressive showcase of driving prowess, McLaren’s Lando Norris triumphed at the Singapore Grand Prix, crossing the finish line an astonishing 21 seconds ahead of his nearest rival, Max Verstappen. This victory narrows the gap in the drivers’ championship standings to 52 points, reigniting hope for Norris as he vies for the title.

As the night concluded with a dazzling fireworks display, Norris exhibited remarkable composure throughout the race, leading every lap on the challenging Marina Bay circuit. He encountered a few nail-biting moments, grazing the walls, but fortunately, emerged unscathed. “I actually shit myself,” Norris chuckled while watching the post-race replay in the cooldown room alongside Verstappen and his teammate Oscar Piastri, who secured a third-place finish.

This weekend was not without its controversies, primarily due to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s directive urging drivers to curb their swearing. Both Norris and Lewis Hamilton expressed their discontent with this mandate, and Verstappen’s subsequent punishment for cursing during a press conference added to the tension. It appears that Norris might face similar consequences, overshadowing what has otherwise been an exhilarating season.

Yet, despite these distractions, Norris’s victory reaffirms his determination in the title race. He stretched his lead over Verstappen to as much as 28 seconds during the race, ultimately finishing with a solid 21-second advantage. This performance mirrored his earlier win in Zandvoort, showcasing his ability to maintain a commanding lead without the interruptions of a safety car.

Verstappen, for his part, remained optimistic following the setback. Red Bull had anticipated challenges at the Marina Bay circuit, particularly due to its high-downforce corners and tricky bumps. “Given we knew this weekend would be tough, finishing P2 is a good achievement,” he remarked, successfully minimizing the points lost to Norris.

McLaren’s strong performance marked a significant development, with Norris demonstrating superior speed over Red Bull, indicating that McLaren is making notable strides as the season winds down. Team principal Andrea Stella expressed confidence, emphasizing that “the drivers’ championship is still on, the mission is on,” while also pointing out McLaren’s expanding lead over Red Bull in the constructors’ championship, now sitting at 41 points.

The seriousness of Red Bull’s strategy was highlighted when their sister team, RB, sent Daniel Ricciardo—likely participating in his final race—into the pits for fresh tires in a bid to secure the fastest lap point from Norris. Verstappen, who hasn’t clinched a victory since the Spanish Grand Prix in June, gratefully acknowledged Ricciardo’s efforts, fully aware that even a single point could be crucial in the lead-up to the season finale in Abu Dhabi this December.

With the next race, the US Grand Prix in Austin, nearly a month away, Red Bull has the opportunity to address their car’s shortcomings—a luxury that may feel like an eternity for Norris, eager to keep up his momentum. George Russell finished fourth, with his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton in sixth place, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz took fifth and seventh, respectively. Fernando Alonso came in eighth for Aston Martin, followed by Nico Hülkenberg in ninth for Haas, and Sergio Pérez rounding out the top ten for Red Bull.