Lando Norris delivered an outstanding performance at the Singapore Grand Prix, finishing 20 seconds ahead of the his title rival Max Verstappen. 

With this victory, the championship gap has narrowed to 52 points between the Briton and the Dutchman, with only six races remaining in the 2024 F1 season. 

Even though Norris excelled at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, Verstappen's lead means he can still secure his fourth consecutive championship by finishing second in the upcoming races, even if Norris manages to claim the fastest lap.

Although McLaren seems to be in charge right now, it's important to recognize that Verstappen has secured seven race victories this season, while Norris has only three, partly due to some disputed team decisions earlier in the year.

Regarding that, F1 world champion, Jacques Villeneuve, stated that if Norris fails to win the title, the responsibility rests with McLaren, not with the British driver.

“If Lando is not champion, it will be McLaren’s fault, not his,”  Villeneuve stated in an interview with Marca.

“McLaren has made a mess of things and it’s too late now.

“It started in Hungary, they have shown real weakness by not giving priority to Norris over [Oscar] Piastri.”

Oscar Piastri clinched his maiden victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July amid some controversial team orders from McLaren, leading Villeneuve to question whether his contract has a clause allowing for equal competition with Norris.

“We don’t know what Oscar’s contract says, but Mark Webber, his manager, is a smart guy.

“Mark was always at the wrong end of the spectrum at Red Bull, even when he was beating [Sebastian] Vettel. I am sure he will not let history repeat itself for Oscar,” he explained.

For the next race, the F1 circus heads to the iconic Circuit of the Americas, which will offer another chapter of the thrilling championship battle between Verstappen and Norris.