Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris were like a match made in platonic heaven at McLaren. When the Spaniard left Woking in 2021 to join Ferrari, everyone thought the ‘Carlando’ bromance wouldn’t sustain. Much to the F1 community’s delight, they’re still thick as thieves. Sainz shared his first podium for Ferrari with Norris at the 2021 Monaco GP. It was only fitting that he share a Ferrari win—albeit it wasn’t his first—with his muppet friend. The Singapore GP gave them the perfect opportunity to revive their bromance publicly, and they took it with both hands.

The Marina Bay Circuit is a track that never disappoints. 2023 was no different, and the action started right from qualifying on Saturday. After a shock double-Red Bull exit in Q2, pole position was all up for grabs. Who took it? Carlos Sainz. With Norris lining up in P4, he wasn’t too optimistic about a podium. But thanks to Sainz, Singapore witnessed a Carlando podium.

Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris lit up Singapore with their bromance

Just like qualifying, the race did not disappoint. From start to finish, it was a thriller. But a late Virtual Safety Car set in motion a Carlando podium. On Lap 43 of 62, Esteban Ocon’s Alpine stopped on track. George Russell, who’d been stuck behind Sainz’s Ferrari for the better part of the race, was desperate for a win. Instead of waiting around behind the Ferrari on old Hard tires, he opted for the aggressive strategy of pitting. Mercedes decided to pit Lewis Hamilton as well, sending both of them out on a charge.

After Russell pitted, Norris crept up to the back of Sainz. The Mercedes’ rejoined the pack in P4 and P5—Russell ahead of Hamilton. It was evident the W14 had the race pace to compete for the win. Russell wanted to maximize it, and Mercedes gave him that chance. When racing resumed a lap later, Russell and Hamilton unleashed their W14s and caught up to the back of Lando’s McLaren. With just about five laps to go and the top four in a DRS train, it was a fight till the end. It ended with Carlando and Hamilton on the podium and Russell in the barriers.

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In the post-race interview, Norris discussed his defense against Russell and Hamilton. He said, “Carlos was very generous, trying to help me get DRS. It helped my race and helped his. We knew it would be tough when Mercedes boxed.” It was tough, especially considering both Carlos and Lando were on old, Hard tires with depleting grip. Despite everything, it ended with the reunion of the two buddies on top of the podium. Neither of them could’ve asked for more. Russell, on the other hand, strived for too much.

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Sainz and Norris’ joy was George Russell’s sorrow

The Singapore GP was a missed opportunity for George Russell. From potentially fighting for the win to ending up in the barriers, the Brit must be rethinking his choices. Throughout the race, Russell expressed how slow Sainz was driving, just managing his tires. Russell could do nothing but follow suit. When the opportunity to take the more aggressive route came up, he took it, hoping it would pay off. 

After stopping for fresh Medium tires, the Brit quickly caught up to Norris. Until then, it was working in his favor. But the last lap was where it all went wrong. At Turn 10, Russell made contact with the wall and went straight into the barriers. Just like that, as Verstappen’s 11th win wasn’t meant to be, Russell’s podium wasn’t either. Norris explained, “I hit the wall on the last lap, so [Russell] just copied me. He just did it worse. I feel for him. He was the quickest out there today.” 

What were your thoughts on the Singapore GP? Did you enjoy watching Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris on the podium?

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