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ICYMI: How social media reacted to a thrilling Singapore GP and an emphatic Norris victory
Lando Norris delivered a sensational Singapore Grand Prix victory for McLaren to increase the papaya team's lead over Red Bull in the constructors' championship. He was ably backed up by his team mate too, with Oscar Piastri grabbing third to ensure McLaren left Marina Bay with a big haul of points.
But their raw pace wasn't the only talking point from Singapore, with celebrities galore, the return of the resident track lizard and plenty of emotion on display in the paddock after the chequered flag – with one driver in particular unsure of his F1 future.
So, here is all the best social media from Round 18 of the 2024 season.
Norris rehydrates
This race is renowned as one of the most physically punishing on the calendar, with the drivers losing up to five kilos of bodyweight, mostly in water. So it was no surprise that Lando Norris needed to rehydrate after the gruelling race.
But we aren't too sure many health professionals would recommend this as the most sensible way to do so.
Everyone is a fan
McLaren have a legion of loyal fans, and plenty of new ones too. Norris and Piastri are both popular drivers, with an elbows-out racing style that the fans love to watch.
It seems their appeal reaches every corner of the paddock too, with CEO Zak Brown paying a personal visit to give one of their biggest fans his new personalised shirt.
Fred Vasseur might normally wear the scarlet colours of Ferrari, but it looks like he suits papaya as well.
When Verstappen can't believe his eyes
The chats in the cooldown room have become a must-see part of any post-race viewing, with the top three watching some highlights before going out onto the podium.
And Singapore was no exception, with Piastri and Max Verstappen seeing Norris's near-miss for the first time.
It might not have mattered in terms of the race result, but it still gave Verstappen a shock – the Dutchman's reaction very similar to every fan who saw the moment when it happened.
Verstappen thanks his old mate
Verstappen and former team mate Daniel Ricciardo have always remained friends, despite the latter having long since left Red Bull for pastures new.
But since returning to the grid in Red Bull's sister team RB, Ricciardo has had an opportunity to spend more time with the Dutchman.
But now, Verstappen may well owe the Aussie more than just a 'thank you' on race radio, with Ricciardo's fastest lap heroics denying Norris the bonus point in Singapore.
Will that be crucial in the championship? Only time will tell.
An unusual spectator
While the fans packed the grandstands all weekend long, one decided to get a bit of a closer view of the action. The monitor lizard is a protected species in Singapore, with the drivers all giving this chap a wide berth.
The marshals weren't so lucky, tasked with removing the lizard from the track – cue laughable scenes with the lizard showing a decent turn of pace and the marshals left scrambling to catch up.
F1 is a sport of pure pace, and on this showing the monitor lizard could well audition for a place on the grid next year.
When Kylie met Lenny
Singapore brought plenty of celebrities out to play, with stars from music, film and many elite sports paying a visit to the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The Corrs presented Norris with the pole position award, while Mark Cavendish was on the grid for race day.
But in terms of legendary status, how's this for a line-up? It even rivals McLaren's in-form driver pairing for star power...
The chequered flag
Kylie Minogue was on hand to wave the chequered flag as well, doing so with aplomb as Norris crossed the line and a trail of fireworks followed him down the main straight.
Kylie had been so lucky to be privy to a famous win – in what is turning into a season for the ages. And if it goes down to the wire in Abu Dhabi, expect plenty more celebrities to turn out to watch what could be a famous season-decider.
Is this goodbye?
Daniel Ricciardo faced rumours all weekend long that this was his last race in F1, and while he batted them off for the most part, once the chequered flag flew he was unable to contain his emotions.
He acknowledged that it might indeed be the end of an illustrious career that has included eight wins and 32 podiums – along with the infamous shoey celebration, some overtakes that will live long in the memory and hilarious moments such as when he rode a horse into the Austin paddock.
If this is the end, let it be au revoir for the charismatic Australian, rather than farewell.
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