McLaren say Crimson Bull-RB relationship wants addressing after Daniel Ricciardo denied Lando Norris Singapore GP quickest lap

McLaren staff principal Andrea Stella says Crimson Bull’s relationship with junior staff RB “must be addressed” after Daniel Ricciardo denied Lando Norris an additional level for the quickest lap of the race on the Singapore Grand Prix.

Norris lowered Crimson Bull driver Max Verstappen’s lead on the high of the Drivers’ Championship to 52 factors by successful in Singapore, however the margin appeared set to be one much less when the Brit held the quickest lap going into the ultimate levels of the race.

RB driver Ricciardo completed final on observe in 18th and was due to this fact not eligible to assert the purpose awarded for the quickest lap, however stopped for a brand new set of tyres to raised his former team-mate’s effort on his penultimate circuit.

Stella mentioned he did not have the “parts” to show Ricciardo’s effort was motivated by a need to help Verstappen’s title bid, however mentioned the connection between Crimson Bull and RB was a “longer-term” situation.

“As quickly as you invoke the sportsmanship, I believe you have to strategy this with a way of accountability that I need to have,” Stella mentioned.

“I do not know the details, I simply noticed that Racing Bulls went for the quickest lap and so they achieved it. However for me, discuss sportsmanship and so forth, I believe it could be misplaced. I believe we have now to take it at face worth that they scored the quickest lap.

“And probably as a part of a longer-term dialog, we have to put the game able through which, at any stage – being it trackside or being it manufacturing unit facet – groups behave in a completely autonomous method. As a result of it is a Constructors’ Championship, a Drivers’ Championship, it is not a coalition championship. Subsequently, this must be undoubtedly addressed.

“However at no level do I’ve parts now to say Racing Bulls went for the quickest lap to assist Crimson Bull, I simply discover it somewhat peculiar.”

The incident occurred in what many count on to be Ricciardo’s remaining F1 race, with the Australian anticipated to lose his seat to Liam Lawson earlier than subsequent month’s United States Grand Prix.

Ricciardo spent two seasons working alongside Stella as Norris’ team-mate at McLaren earlier than being dropped by the staff on the finish of 2022, however has did not re-establish himself since returning with RB halfway by means of 2023.

Stella added: “I didn’t see it coming. I used to be somewhat shocked that the very best precedence of Racing Bull’s racing in Singapore was to go and rating the quickest lap of the race.

“On the identical time, I’ve a lot sympathy, assist and friendship with Daniel that I am simply blissful that he could add this quickest lap to his observe report.”

Ricciardo: I assured myself a pleasant Christmas current from Max

Ricciardo defined that the thought to go for the quickest lap got here from his race engineer Pierre Hamelin.

He instructed Sky Sports activities F1: “The previous couple of laps, Pierre requested (if) we must always go for the quickest lap. I believed, why not?

Verstappen maintains a major benefit over Norris on the high of the standings, however McLaren’s spectacular type and Crimson Bull’s struggles counsel the battle might go right down to the wire with six rounds of the season remaining.

Ricciardo added: “I do not imply this in opposition to Lando, however a part of me is hoping Max wins by one level as a result of I believe I assured myself a pleasant Christmas current, if that’s the case.

“I believe, clearly, it is with somewhat little bit of Crimson Bull in thoughts, however perhaps simply to have one final crack at doing a quick one, whether it is to be it.”

Within the staff’s press launch following the race, RB staff principal Laurent Mekies mentioned: “Given this will likely have been Daniel’s final race, we needed to provide him the prospect to savour it and exit with the quickest lap.”

Crimson Bull staff principal Christian Horner mentioned: “Daniel, he clearly needed to complete the race on a excessive. So that you’d must go and ask RB about that one.”

Norris: Nothing to complain about

Norris, who claimed the third victory of his season and profession, mentioned he had “nothing to complain about”.

Requested whether or not Ricciardo setting the quickest lap with nothing to achieve from it was unfair, Norris mentioned: “That is the way it’s been in Formulation 1 for, I do not know, most likely since earlier than I used to be born, so… Nothing to complain about.

“There’s been races up to now when different folks have been racing. We attempt to take it away from others.

“So, sure, the logical factor to do. The good play by them. Comfortable for Daniel. That is all.”

Verstappen, who was additionally team-mates with Ricciardo – at Crimson Bull from 2016 to 2018, mentioned it was down to every driver to determine their very own actions.

“I imply, everybody can determine once they need to do a quick slap or not,” Verstappen mentioned.

It stays to be seen whether or not the incident will finally show vital, however Stella’s conclusion was that it’s right down to McLaren to make sure it does not.

He mentioned: “I believe we simply must work tougher to be sure that it does not come down to a degree.”

Simply six races stay in Formulation 1 2024 and the season resumes with the USA Grand Prix in Austin from October 18-20, stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime