Lando Norris questions the thrill of the Singapore GP sprint: "I don't believe it is."
McLaren's Lando Norris anticipates that the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix will present significant challenges for him and his fellow racers, though he is uncertain about how engaging the inaugural sprint weekend at this venue will be for spectators.
This weekend, the Marina Bay Street Circuit will host its first-ever sprint race, which means teams will have just one practice session to get acquainted with the track before entering competitive action. Given that this is the first occasion current-regulation cars will tackle this circuit, it adds an extra layer of difficulty to an already demanding weekend.
Why Norris believes the sprint race might be lackluster
"I think this type of track, I mean, I'm not sure if a Sprint race here is going to be the most thrilling one you've ever witnessed. I don't believe it will be. However, regarding just FP1, qualifying, and the challenge of rapidly finding pace on a street circuit with these cars is a substantial challenge. So, from that perspective, I'm looking forward to it."
This marks the final sprint weekend of the 2026 season, providing the last opportunity for a driver to earn 33 points in a single weekend.
This weekend could highlight Norris's abilities
| Sprint | Lando Norris | Oscar Piastri |
|---|---|---|
| China | P4 | P6 |
| Miami | P1 | P2 |
| Canada | P2 | P4 |
| Britain | P3 | P7 |
| Netherlands | P3 | P5 |
"I think so," he replied. "I still believe we can deliver some strong races this season and remain competitive. As for street circuits, I'm uncertain. I believe part of it is simply the limited time available to reach optimal speed, and I think that might be one of my advantages—finding the limits even with minimal time.
"Ultimately, we're likely all skilled enough after three sessions to be within a few hundredths or a couple of tenths of each other. The real challenge comes from ramping up to pace and figuring everything out in just one session. I’ve always enjoyed that challenge, and I feel I can leverage it to my advantage. So I hope this weekend follows a similar pattern."
For instance, at Zandvoort, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc overtook Norris for second place in the Sprint, with Norris finishing third despite McLaren's relative lack of speed.
The Marina Bay Street Circuit is known for its challenging layout with limited overtaking possibilities, yet Norris relishes the test it presents.
"It's just a great place to come, so I recognize that it doesn't have the largest impact on driving. From a driving style perspective, there are certain aspects that feel quite comfortable and can be quickly adapted to.
"Generally, the car has performed well here too, so I can't pinpoint exactly why; it's just an enjoyable circuit. It's challenging, requiring significant adaptation in driving style due to the bumps and corner configurations, making it a tough track but one I truly enjoy.”
More from this section
George Russell: "Obvious choice" to use the former car as Mercedes divides specifications for Singapore.
Guenther Steiner uncovers the secret behind Laurent Mekies' achievements at Red Bull in Formula 1.
“They developed the finest engines” – Audi F1 drivers disclose major constraint and propose solutions.
Oscar Piastri has fans in hysterics with his surprising response regarding the Singapore GP.
Lewis Hamilton responds to an impressive fan-created Ferrari helmet influenced by "Star Wars."
