McLaren F1 Slams Red Bull for Lap Collusion

McLaren F1 alleges collusion by Red Bull and RB F1 for the fastest race lap, costing Norris a point.

Lando Norris lost the fastest lap point due to Daniel Ricciardo (RB F1), who had nothing left to play for at the Singapore Grand Prix.

This allowed Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) to finish the race 52 points ahead in the championship instead of 51, a situation that greatly irritated Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren, at the finish.

“I will raise this with the FIA because teams should operate independently on a sporting level. Here it was about a Team A and a Team B from the same group, Red Bull.”

“This is yet another example of why I no longer want team co-ownership in F1.”

Andrea Stella, the director of McLaren F1, was pressed to state his position during his press conference before leaving the circuit. He remains cautious about the accusations for now.

“This is an important issue. You know, as soon as you talk about sportsmanship, I think you need to approach it with a sense of responsibility, which I aim to have.”

“I do not know the facts. I just saw that RB F1 wanted to set the fastest lap and they did. But for me, to talk here about sportsmanship and so on, I think that would be… inappropriate. So I think we need to take it at face value.”

“They achieved the fastest lap and, potentially, as part of a longer-term conversation, we need to put the sport in a position where, at any stage – whether it’s on the track or at the factory side – teams behave in a totally autonomous manner, as this is a constructors’ championship.”

“This definitely needs to be addressed. But at no point do I have evidence to suggest that RB F1 set the fastest lap to support Red Bull. I just find it a bit… how should I say… strange. I didn’t see it coming.”

“I was somewhat surprised to see that RB F1’s top priority in Singapore was to achieve the fastest lap in the race. I think we just need to work harder to ensure that this championship isn’t decided by just one point.”

“At the same time, I have so much sympathy, support, and friendship for Daniel that I’m simply glad he could add this fastest lap to his record.”

If this is RB F1’s farewell gift to Daniel Ricciardo, it would be good to communicate about it quickly.

And, of course, from his side, Christian Horner has denied having requested anything from Red Bull’s second team…

“RB F1 stopped and set the fastest lap at the end of the race! There’s nothing more to say. Kevin Magnussen would have done it if he hadn’t pushed the track limits too far earlier in the race and he has a Ferrari engine. Each team maintains its independence.”

When it was pointed out to Horner that Magnussen had to pit due to a puncture, while RB F1 was 18th, he conceded that the situation would be closely examined.

“Of course, of course. The question will always be raised because it’s the same ownership of the teams, so it’s inevitable that this question will be raised. But that lap by Daniel in an F1… Remember, he gets a bonus for the fastest lap.”

Update at 19:33: Laurent Mekies finally provided a justification that should keep Red Bull out of trouble even if no one is fooled.

“Given that it might have been Daniel’s last race, we wanted to give him the chance to savor it and leave with the fastest lap.”