Martin Brundle responds to Max Verstappen's Lando Norris criticism: "I don't buy into it"
Martin Brundle dismissed Max Verstappen's claim that Lando Norris hindered his Singapore Grand Prix qualifying
Martin Brundle
Photo by: James Sutton / Motorsport Images
Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Martin Brundle has delivered his verdict on Max Verstappen's criticism of Lando Norris during qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix.
During his final flying lap, the four-time champion came up behind Norris at the final chicane, who was on a cool-down lap at the time. While the British driver didn't officially impede Verstappen, he argued that it hindered his final lap.
"You can thank your mate for that. Hard luck," Verstappen's race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase said over the team radio after the Dutchman secured second place on the starting grid.
Verstappen told David Coulthard after the session: "That's what happens when there's a car in front of you just cruising two seconds in front. That's noted, it will be remembered as well."
Speaking on Sky Sports F1 ahead of the race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, Brundle dismissed the claim that Norris was to blame for Verstappen not taking pole position from Mercedes' George Russell.
"Not really, it didn't help him. We saw cars in qualifying zig-zagging through cars. I don't buy into it," the former driver noted.
"Max's middle sector wasn't particularly strong and Lando was there to blame. Lando didn't help him but I don't think he can blame not getting pole position on that."
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / LAT Images via Getty Images
Verstappen explained later on Saturday evening that he didn't want to make the situation bigger than it was.
"Well, first of all, I want to say that, of course, George did a very good lap," he said to Sky Sports F1. "When I heard the lap time starting my lap, I knew that that was a very good lap. But besides that, I think we had good pace.
"I was up on my final lap. But yeah, of course, what happens then in the final sector is a bit unfortunate, but I also don't want to make it bigger than it is. There's no need to go into detail here."
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