Norris is cautious despite P1 in Singapore: 'Then I'm worried'

Norris must bridge a 59-point gap to Verstappen in the Formula 1 World Championship over the remaining seven Grands Prix weekends in the 2024 season if he wants to call himself World Champion in Abu Dhabi. In recent race weekends, including in Baku last time out, Norris had the chance to take a bigger chunk out of the Dutchman's lead but failed to optimise. If free practice is anything to go by, it seems that Norris might get another chance to take a big bite from Verstappen's lead as the Red Bull driver was more than 1 second away from Norris' best time.

How does Norris feel after practice in Singapore?

Norris admitted that he was feeling good with the performance of the McLaren car. "The pace was good. I am feeling good. It was also a nice lap. I think we're doing what we expect, being at the front and with Ferrari. But it was a very nice lap and Charles was [close] behind. I was hoping to have a much bigger gap than what I had which means they are very very fast. But things are going well so far," Norris told F1TV after the session.

But there's a bit of caution: "It felt good straight away. We are always pretty good at that. One of our strengths is just arriving and performing pretty well. But then we tend not to progress as much as some of the other teams. We'll see. It's going to be close. I think we're in a decent position. Not a lot we can change, just trying to perfect and iron out a few things," he added.

It seems like Norris' closest rival will be Charles Leclerc in Singapore. The man from Monaco couldn't beat Piastri last week in Baku, but did get the better of both McLaren drivers in Monza. "Charles is very good at street circuits. We've seen in Baku and Monaco what he's capable of doing. If he's not happy for his lap, then I'm worried for tomorrow. Normally I prefer not being so good and then having some extra into Saturday. If we can keep it up then I'll be happy," Norris concluded.