In a shocking turn of events at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, former racing star Danica Patrick has voiced her outrage over the decision to deny Max Verstappen the victory. Verstappen, who had been a clear contender for the win, was embroiled in a post-race controversy that saw Lando Norris declared the winner. Patrick did not hold back in her criticism, accusing Norris of cheating and raising questions about the integrity of the sport. As the racing world reels from this unprecedented situation, let’s dive into the details of what happened at the Singapore GP and why Patrick is so furious.
Coming into the Singapore GP, Max Verstappen had been on a roll. The reigning Formula 1 World Champion was expected to continue his winning streak after a series of dominant performances in the 2024 season. The Singapore circuit, known for its challenging street layout and high downforce requirements, seemed perfectly suited to Verstappen’s skillset and the well-oiled machine that is Red Bull Racing.
From the start of the weekend, Verstappen looked unstoppable. He topped the practice sessions, displayed extraordinary pace in qualifying, and seemed poised to take the checkered flag with ease. However, as the race unfolded, things took a controversial turn. Verstappen appeared to have the win in the bag, but following an investigation after the race, the stewards determined that Verstappen’s car had violated certain track limits. This led to his time being penalized, and the victory was handed to McLaren’s Lando Norris.
The ruling to strip Verstappen of his victory didn’t sit well with many in the paddock, especially his fans and fellow drivers. But no one seemed more outraged than Danica Patrick. The former NASCAR and IndyCar driver, now a prominent racing analyst, took to social media to express her anger over the decision, calling it an injustice and pointing fingers directly at Lando Norris.
“This is an absolute joke! Max was the rightful winner, and everyone saw that. Lando [Norris] shouldn’t have been anywhere near the podium,” Patrick tweeted, sparking widespread discussion among motorsport fans. She went on to accuse Norris of playing a dirty game, claiming that he had gained an unfair advantage during the race.
Patrick’s comments may have been bold, but they resonated with a large portion of the Formula 1 fanbase. Many agreed with her assessment, believing that Verstappen had been unfairly penalized for what they viewed as a minor infraction, while Norris’s actions had been overlooked.
Patrick did not stop at criticizing the race stewards for penalizing Verstappen; she also alleged that Norris had been involved in underhanded tactics. According to her, Norris had taken advantage of a loophole in the rules to secure his win. While Patrick didn’t provide specific details in her initial outburst, the implication was clear—she believed that Norris had found a way to manipulate the situation in his favor.
Many fans speculated that Patrick’s accusation referred to Norris’s driving tactics during a crucial moment in the race, where he was seen cutting corners and forcing other drivers wide. However, the race officials did not issue any penalties to Norris for his actions, which only fueled Patrick’s anger.
“Lando was bending the rules left and right. If the stewards aren’t going to penalize him for cheating, then what kind of sport is this?” Patrick fumed during an interview with a racing podcast.
The racing community remains divided on Patrick’s comments. Some support her stance, arguing that Norris’s aggressive driving style pushed the boundaries of fairness, while others feel that Patrick’s comments are unfounded and an exaggeration of the events.
After the race, the FIA released an official statement explaining the decision to penalize Verstappen and award Norris the win. According to the stewards, Verstappen had gained an unfair advantage by exceeding track limits multiple times during the race. They emphasized that the ruling was made in accordance with established regulations and that there had been no preferential treatment given to any driver.
Despite the FIA’s attempts to clarify the situation, the backlash was immediate. Fans and racing experts alike questioned the consistency of the penalties, with many pointing out that other drivers, including Norris, had also exceeded track limits without facing similar repercussions.
Danica Patrick continued to lead the charge in criticizing the decision. In a follow-up post on social media, she wrote, “So now we’re punishing the best drivers for racing hard and rewarding those who cut corners? Max was robbed, plain and simple. Lando should be ashamed of that so-called ‘victory.’”
With the controversy swirling, Lando Norris eventually responded to the accusations. In a press conference following the race, Norris dismissed Patrick’s comments as baseless and emphasized that he had raced fairly.
“Everyone saw what happened out there. I raced hard, and I followed the rules. If the stewards had any issues with my driving, they would have said something. But they didn’t, because there was nothing to penalize,” Norris stated confidently.
Despite Norris’s defense, the damage to his reputation had already been done in the eyes of many fans. The debate over the fairness of his win continued to rage, with social media platforms buzzing with opinions from both sides.
The fallout from the Singapore GP 2024 has reignited the conversation about fairness in Formula 1. Many believe that the FIA’s decision-making process needs a complete overhaul, while others think that drivers like Danica Patrick should refrain from making inflammatory statements that undermine the integrity of the sport.
Patrick, however, remains unapologetic. “I’m not going to stay quiet when I see something wrong,” she said during a recent interview. “Formula 1 is supposed to be the pinnacle of motorsport, but if we start letting things slide like this, then what are we doing?”
As for Max Verstappen, he has yet to make a public statement regarding the controversy, but sources close to the Red Bull team suggest that they are planning to file an appeal against the ruling.
The 2024 Singapore GP will likely go down as one of the most controversial races in recent Formula 1 history. With accusations of cheating, inconsistent penalties, and a vocal Danica Patrick leading the charge, the debate over who truly deserved the victory shows no signs of dying down. Whether or not Max Verstappen will regain the win remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—this is a moment that will be remembered for years to come.
In the end, this race may not just be about who crossed the finish line first, but about how Formula 1 moves forward in ensuring fairness and consistency in its rulings.
