Photo: Wikimedia Commons (free licence), cropped and styled by SportNestra — author and licence
Lando Norris doubts that the first sprint held in Singapore will be especially spectacular for fans. The McLaren driver believes the format may not produce “the best sprint race you’ll ever see”, but says he is looking forward to the challenge of getting up to speed quickly at the Marina Bay circuit in these cars.
The 2026 Singapore Grand Prix is shaping up to be a demanding weekend for Norris and his fellow competitors. The circuit will host its first sprint, leaving teams with only one practice session to learn the track before competitive running begins. It will also be the first time the current-regulation cars have raced there, adding another complication to an already tough weekend.
Asked whether he was looking forward to the format, Norris qualified his answer. “I don’t know if this kind of track is going to produce the best sprint race you’ll ever see. I don’t think it is,” he said. He drew a distinction, though, between the race as a spectacle and the sporting challenge: getting up to speed quickly on a street circuit, with little time to prepare, is what appeals to him.
Norris believes the format can also leave more room for differences between drivers. After three sessions, he thinks, competitors can end up close to one another. With just one session, however, they have to understand the car and find their pace much faster. “I’ve always enjoyed that challenge, and I think it’s something I can make a difference in and capitalise on. So I hope this weekend is the same,” he said.
He also said he believes McLaren can be competitive in Singapore. But Norris voiced reservations about sprint races more broadly: the limited time to find his feet is a major factor, even though he sees his ability to find the limits quickly as one of his strengths.
Marina Bay is a difficult track with few overtaking opportunities, but Norris enjoys the test. He described a demanding circuit where the bumps and corner layout require drivers to adapt their style. He also noted that the car has generally performed well there. His enthusiasm, then, is chiefly for the driving challenge, rather than a promise of a thrilling sprint for spectators.
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