Nico Rosberg says he was “baffled” by the errors Lando Norris made whereas holding a giant lead on his solution to successful the Singapore Grand Prix.
Norris produced gorgeous tempo on his first stint to open up a 25-second hole over title rival Max Verstappen, however the McLaren driver clipped one of many road circuit’s limitations simply earlier than making his first cease and was lucky to keep away from main injury.
On his second and remaining stint within the sweltering situations at The Marina Bay Circuit, Norris was as soon as extra lucky to keep away from catastrophe as he bumped one other barrier along with his proper rear tyre.
The Brit additionally ran large whereas making an attempt to lap a back-marker within the closing phases, earlier than finally taking victory by greater than 20 seconds.
Talking on the newest episode of the Sky Sports activities F1 Podcast, 2016 world champion Rosberg mentioned: “It sort of baffled me a little bit bit what was occurring there as a result of he hit the wall twice.
“Each have been like actually extreme, virtually race ending moments the place he was fairly fortunate to not be DNF (didn’t end).
“He went miles off the monitor in a hairpin, out-braking, however actually not a small out-braking, like an enormous out-braking.
“And the other time he hit the same wall that George Russell hit last year where he went crashing out on the last lap of the race.
“And what you possibly do not keep in mind is he went off the monitor once more when he was passing a back-marker, which was a Williams.
“So, there’s three moments here. And that’s so strange.”
‘I can not keep in mind Max or Lewis making these errors’
Norris’ victory decreased Verstappen’s Drivers’ Championship result in 52 factors with six rounds of the season remaining, boosting hopes the Brit can deny the Crimson Bull driver a fourth successive title.
McLaren, who prolonged their Constructors’ Championship benefit over Crimson Bull to 41 factors, have had a transparent tempo benefit over the reigning champions in latest months, however there have been a number of events the place Norris has did not maximise the automotive’s point-scoring potential.
Rosberg added: “I can’t remember myself or a Max Verstappen or Lewis (Hamilton), when leading so comfortably with 30 seconds, making three major mistakes like that. That was a bit strange.
“I do know Singapore is so onerous, focus, bodily, it is so, so robust, however I do not know what it is all the way down to that there is so many little (errors).
“But we know that Lando tends to make those little errors all the time everywhere.
“We have seen that from him and he must iron that out if he desires to combat for the championship this yr.”
Do not miss an episode of the Sky Sports activities F1 Podcast. Subscribe now on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Spreaker
Just six races remain in Formula 1 2024 and the season resumes with the United States Grand Prix in Austin from October 18-20, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime