Russell wins as McLaren rivalry starts to boil over

SCAR Piastri blasted Lando Norris’ driving and accused McLaren of being “unfair” after the world championship rivals collided on the opening lap of a Singapore Grand Prix’ won by George Russell.

- PHILIP DUNCAN

Lando Norris, left, could not find a way past Max Verstappen

(Clive Mason/Getty Images)

The title tension between teammates Norris and Piastri has bubbled along all season without ever boiling over, but that all changed on the first lap when they banged wheels at the third corner.

Norris, who started two places behind Piastri in fifth, cleared his title rival with an aggressive move that was noted by the stewards but not investigated. Much to Piastri’s fury, McLaren then elected against swapping their drivers with Norris crossing the line in third place, one position ahead of Piastri.

Max Verstappen held off Norris in the closing stages to finish runner-up to keep his outside chances of a fifth-consecutive title alive.

Norris now trails Piastri by 22 points in the standings with Verstappen a further 63 points off the championship pace with 174 points still to play for across the concluding six rounds.