The upgrade package introduced by McLaren this weekend in Singapore will only be available to Lando Norris.

In its bid to overhaul Alpine for fourth in the team standings, McLaren has brought the biggest upgrade to Singapore of all ten teams.

While the French outfit has a new floor, its Woking rivals bring new sidepods, floor (body/fences), diffuser and front brake ducts.

However the updates will only be available to Lando Norris, with teammate Daniel Ricciardo having to wait until next weekend in Japan.

"Lando's got it," the Australian told members of the media as the Singapore weekend got underway. "Just with time and whatever, resources, ultimately it's both, we'll both have it in Japan, but this weekend it's just him.

"I guess the next question is 'why him?'," he quickly added. "Well, a lot of it is development, as well, in the direction of 2023, so it's pretty much that.

"Obviously he's here next year I'm not, so for him to get another weekend to give the team feedback, and obviously direction for next year, that's ultimately the reason.

"As far as I know, in Japan I'll have exactly the same as him," he replied when asked if certain upgrades might be withheld from him in his final six races with the team. "I think this is it now, this will be our last update.

"So I would say, as of Japan, we'll have the same," he added. "I foresee us having the same stuff till the end of the year. Though, again, if there is maybe one part with a view of '23, I'll probably assume he gets it, but I think this weekend is probably the only one where there'll be that difference."

Aware that withholding certain upgrades, especially those aimed at next season, is common practice, Ricciardo dismissed speculation that he was disappointed by the move.

"Normally you want it, don't get me wrong," he said, "but it's not always as simple as 'okay, we're going to bolt it on and you're going to go five-tenths quicker'.

"I kind of hope it's quicker because that means Japan looks good."

Check out our Friday gallery from Singapore here.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 01/10/2022 3:39

"After the first two FP sessions it appears that the new parts may well be not what was expected ,in the first instance. McLaren have been a major disappointment for the past two seasons and I fear that Ricciardo was sold a 'dud', thankfully wrapped in thick wads of greenbacks. As we say, 'all hat and no cattle'. Given this latter history I hope that Piastri has some performance clauses written into his contract. Alpine are proving to be a class ahead of McLaren ATM and show no signs of tailing off between now and the end of the season."

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2. Posted by Mad Matt, 30/09/2022 16:38

"It's not uncommon for only one driver to get the new parts if there aren't enough available and there's no sign he's not getting them for Japan so looks like business as usual to me.

Speak to Sergio, he knows about waiting for new parts :-)"

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3. Posted by meatball, 30/09/2022 14:25

"Is Zac REALLY this mad about having to get a tattoo? Did Ric bed his wife? It just seems so petty. points are points and if McLaren is really in a "Bid to overhaul Alpine" in the final push for points, wouldn't the best approach be to provide both cars with the tools to win? Very common to see one car get the juice before the other, but with the way things have gone inside McLaren with Ric being told to bugger off, nobody will see the "practical" side of this approach in this case. "

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4. Posted by Wokingchap, 30/09/2022 10:35

"I would say it's more demotivating than disappointing for Daniel."

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Ricciardo misses out on Singapore upgrade

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