In a dramatic twist during the second free practice session (FP2) at the Singapore Grand Prix, McLaren’s Lando Norris topped the timing sheets despite the team having removed their controversial ‘mini-DRS’ device. This development comes after weeks of FIA scrutiny over the legality of the aerodynamic innovation, which had given McLaren a boost in previous races.

Max Verstappen, who had earlier raised concerns about the device, found himself well off the pace, finishing 15th in the FP2 standings, over 1.3 seconds behind Norris. After the session, McLaren sent a surprising message aimed at Verstappen: “We don’t need the ‘mini-DRS’ to be competitive. Lando’s pace today proves we can lead the field without it.”

Norris set a time of 1m30.727s, narrowly edging Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by just 0.058 seconds, with Carlos Sainz in third. The McLaren driver’s performance has raised eyebrows as the team continues to excel even after complying with the FIA’s decision.

Meanwhile, Verstappen and Red Bull struggled in the session, leaving many questioning whether they can regain their dominance before the race. With McLaren and Ferrari showing strong pace, this weekend is shaping up to be an intense battle.