Lando Norris finally breaks opening lap curse to keep slim hopes of pipping Max Verstappen to F1 world title alive

LANDO NORRIS lifted his opening lap curse to toast a superb Singapore Grand Prix win.

The statement win, his third of the season, was over 20 seconds ahead of his title-rival Max Verstappen who finished in second ahead of Oscar Piastri in third.

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Norris has now eaten into the Dutchman’s lead by seven points with Verstappen at the top of the table with 331 while the McLaren driver is on 279.

Norris survived the start to pull 1.2 seconds clear of second-place Verstappen, while Lewis Hamilton held firm in third place.

Lenny Kravitz was watching on from the Ferrari garage and must have been sweating in his leather pants.

Mercedes were feeling the heat with George Russell telling his team that Hamilton needed to pick up the pace on his soft tyres with the top two peeling away.

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There was concern from the McLaren camp over damage on Norris’ front wing halfway through as he locked up and brushed the wall.

But McLaren weren’t fazed when he pitted and he emerged 4.6 seconds ahead of his teammate Piastri.

The battle between Charles Leclerc and George Russell was hotting up nicely for fourth as the Mercedes man veered off track after failing to overtake the Ferrari.

At this point though there still hadn’t been any drama and the fans needed the lizard from Saturday’s practice to liven things up.

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Norris had another close call as he glanced the wall again into Turn 10 on lap 47 on a corner that KO’d Russell last year.

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The McLaren survived it by the skin of its teeth and continued to push hard for yet another fastest lap.

An elated Norris said: “[There were] a few too many close calls.

“The car was mega, we were flying the whole race, still tough but very fun, I’m still sweating.

"Nice to have Oscar here too on the podium, he drove well today.”

Defending world champion Verstappen said: “It’s always tough around here, very warm.

"And I’m looking forward to a nice rest."

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