P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Christian Horner insists there was nothing improper about Daniel Ricciardo claiming the fastest lap late in the Singapore Grand Prix, which ultimately denied Lando Norris and McLaren an extra point.
Christian Horner denied the claim that Daniel Ricciardo was strategically used to prevent McLaren and Lando Norris from securing the fastest lap bonus during the Singapore Grand Prix. Despite Ricciardo setting the fastest lap on the penultimate lap, he did not earn the extra point as he finished outside the top 10, affecting McLaren’s chances. The decision raised concerns from Zak Brown about Red Bull’s ownership of both teams and potential conflicts of interest in the championship battles. Horner defended the move, stating it was simply about achieving the fastest lap at the end of the race. Ricciardo’s actions highlighted the complexities that can arise from Red Bull and RB’s shared ownership in Formula 1, leading to ongoing scrutiny from Brown and others in the sport.