F1 Singapore Grand Prix 2025 key talking points – Norris jokes that he is “very concerned” about the title fight

The Singapore Grand Prix is one of F1’s most intense and unpredictable weekends — and media day tends to set the tone. This year was no different. From heat hazard debates to momentum swings, here’s what captured headlines and paddock attention — now with Norris’s take on Verstappen added in.

Heat Hazard Declared: Drivers Brace for Extremes

Perhaps the biggest story of media day was the FIA’s first-ever “Heat Hazard” declaration for the Singapore GP. With ambient conditions expected to reach 31 °C, drivers will have to contend not just with sharp corners and walls, but sheer physical stress.

Under the new protocol, cars must be fitted with cooling-vest hardware, though drivers can choose whether to wear the vest (no weight penalty) — or decline and accept a small ballast. 
Carlos Sainz acknowledged concerns about vest durability in Singapore’s conditions, admitting the system may be pushed to its limits. 

Momentum, Momentum, Momentum

Andrea Kimi Antonelli used media day to frame his recent performance in Baku as a turning point. After some shaky results earlier in the season, he placed 4th in Azerbaijan and described that as a moment where momentum shifted. “It was the result I needed to switch the trend,” he said, promising to carry that into Singapore. 

Yuki Tsunoda, whose season has faced turbulence, also struck a more positive tone. He said his 6th-place finish in Baku showed he is heading in the right direction. “Q3 is there, points are there,” he told media, saying he is working hard to cement his place and respond to expectations. 

Finally, Liam Lawson joked that he hadn’t yet received a call from Red Bull’s Helmut Marko after finishing 5th in Baku. He said that setup improvements at Racing Bulls have boosted his comfort level in the car, and he hopes to build on that in Singapore. 

These comments show how every driver in the tight mid-to-upper midfield is trying to carry confidence and proof of capability into a hot, tricky weekend.

Ferrari Reality Check: Leclerc’s Candid Take

On media day, Charles Leclerc delivered a fairly blunt assessment: Ferrari are unlikely to win another race in 2025. Despite flashes of speed earlier in the year, he said McLaren’s strength in warm conditions probably keeps Ferrari from catching them. 

Leclerc’s tone was a mix of realism and frustration. He acknowledged that the team’s performance has disappointed — “we are not happy” — and said that both he and Ferrari know they must “do better.” 

The implication: Leclerc sees the rest of the season as a battle for positioning, rather than expecting miracles. It’s a public shift in mindset for a team used to top podium ambitions.

Norris Speaks on Verstappen: From Rival to “Genuine Challenger”

One of the standout comments of the day came from Lando Norris, who was asked about Max Verstappen’s hot streak and resurgence in the title fight. Norris said he now views Verstappen as a “genuine challenger” again. 

He explained that while Red Bull had lagged behind earlier in the season, recent upgrades have closed the gap:

“I think we’re still expecting… every race with the ambition … to dominate … but nevertheless, it’s a track where … Red Bull … have been closer, so we expect battles, especially with him [Verstappen].” 

Norris also reacted to suggestions McLaren might favour Piastri over him to secure the drivers’ title. With a touch of sarcasm, he dismissed such concerns:

“I’m very concerned. Yeah, very worried about it, and scared, frankly … No.” 

These remarks show how seriously McLaren now take Verstappen’s threat — not as a distant rival but as an immediate one.

McLaren & The Title Focus

After a messy Baku weekend (Piastri’s crash, Norris finishing 7th), McLaren enter Singapore with heavy expectations. They need just 13 points to lock down the Constructors’ Championship. 

Media attention focused on whether McLaren will maintain their “two number-one drivers” approach or adapt tactics under pressure. Norris’s comments suggest he believes the team is committed to balance, even with Verstappen pushing hard. 

Rain, Strategy & Singapore Wildcards

Lewis Hamilton also made waves, expressing hope for rain during the Singapore GP. He noted wet conditions would inject unpredictability into what is already one of the most demanding races on the calendar.

Given the heat hazard, the choice of whether to tire-manage, push or conserve will likely be more crucial than ever. Teams that misread the balance between aggression and caution may pay dearly under Marina Bay’s unforgiving floodlights.

What to Watch During the Weekend

• Performance fade in later stints — the heat will test both car cooling and driver stamina.

• Battle lines redrawn — Norris’s framing of Verstappen as a serious challenger gives Red Bull moral validation; how McLaren respond will matter.

• Rain gamble — even a brief shower could shake up strategies and pit timing.

• Ferrari’s mindset — Leclerc’s realism may influence how aggressively he pushes his car.

Media day in Singapore 2025 revealed more than preparatory statements — it exposed pressure points, mindset shifts, and strategic tension. With Norris now openly wary of Verstappen, McLaren’s fortress has a new threat at the gates — and how they respond under heat, both literal and competitive, may define the rest of the season.