F1 insider explains why Daniel Ricciardo’s fastest lap is going to be a ‘big talking point’ in Verstappen vs Norris title fight

Daniel Ricciardo pitted for the third time in Singapore to go for soft compound tires and went on to snatch the fastest lap from Lando Norris. The McLaren driver was holding on to the fastest lap and one extra point for almost the whole race, but Ricciardo's cameo on the ultimate lap changed everything. Now, renowned F1 expert Nate Saunders has explained the implications behind Ricciardo's fastest lap.

As the Visa Cash App driver went on to claim the fastest lap from Norris, it could have a major repercussion going forward. Ricciardo's fastest lap means he took a point out of the McLaren driver in his fight against Verstappen. The British driver currently has a 52-point gap with the Dutchman, which could have been 53 with six races and three Sprints to go.

However, the decision to pit at the very end and deny Norris the fastest lap point has come from VCARB, who are generally regarded as Red Bull's sister team. In a nutshell, Red Bull using their second team to fight against McLaren could be a "big talking point" between the team from here on.

Reiterating this, Saunders posted on X:

"Lando Norris wins the Singapore GP... but Daniel Ricciardo, driving for Red Bull's second team, snatches point for fastest lap away from him. Big in title fight vs Max Verstappen."

He added how Ricciardo's move can cause controversy:

"Can see this being controversial. We discussed in the media centre whether Red Bull might sacrifice Perez's 10th place for fastest lap... it being done by the second team is going to be a big talking point."

Interestingly, following the conclusion of the race, Verstappen thanked his old teammate Ricciardo for the help. Lando Norris currently has 279 points after 18 races and three Sprints. Max Verstappen continues to lead the championship with 331 points.

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Daniel Ricciardo claimed fastest lap in Singapore

Daniel Ricciardo of Australia driving the (3) Visa Cash App RB VCARB. Source: Getty Images

Daniel Ricciardo was surprisingly voted as the Driver of the Day in the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, a race which as paddock chatters suggest, could be the final Grand Prix race of his F1 career.

The Australian driver started his race from P16, and after three pit stops and the fastest lap, he finished the race in P18. However, he could not claim the extra point for the fastest lap as he did not finish within the top 10 in the Marina Bay Circuit.

The decision baffled many on social media as he was given the Driver of the Day status despite Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri's mega performance. The Ferrari driver made a brilliant comeback to finish in P5 after starting from P9, whereas Piastri made it to the podium after a P5 start.