The streets of Singapore were alive with high-speed action as Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris dominated the practice sessions ahead of the highly anticipated Singapore Grand Prix.
First Practice: Leclerc Leads the Charge
Charles Leclerc set the pace during the first practice, clocking the fastest lap of 1m 31.763s, narrowly ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris by just 0.076s. Leclerc’s performance was a promising start for Ferrari, with his teammate Carlos Sainz securing third place. The session began with Daniel Ricciardo taking to the track first, amidst swirling rumors about his racing future.
Oscar Piastri faced an early setback with a peculiar issue during a pit stop practice, where his McLaren's rear-left tire became stuck. The team, puzzled by this unprecedented problem, assured they would investigate thoroughly to prevent further disruptions. Piastri, however, managed to join the session after a brief delay in the pits.
Amidst these challenges, the session saw a mix of medium and hard tires in play. Norris initially set the pace on medium tires, with championship rival Max Verstappen trailing half a second behind. The session wasn't without its dramatic moments; Sergio Perez brought out a yellow flag after overshooting at Turn 16, while Valtteri Bottas reported being obstructed by Franco Colapinto's Williams.
As the session progressed, drivers switched to soft tires for faster runs. Leclerc reclaimed the top spot, while Norris, on C5 tires, briefly took P1. Notably, Fernando Alonso showcased impressive control, nearly losing his Aston Martin after taking too much curb.
By the end of the hour, Leclerc led the timesheets, followed by Norris, Sainz, and Verstappen. Yuki Tsunoda impressively claimed fifth, and Piastri, despite a brush with the wall, secured sixth. Ricciardo, Albon, Alonso, and Ocon rounded out the top ten.
PHOTO COURTESY: FORMULA 1
Second Practice: Norris Edges Ahead
The second practice session saw Lando Norris respond with a dominant performance, topping the charts with a 1m 30.727s. The twilight session, transitioning to night, provided a different atmosphere and challenges for the teams as they continued to fine-tune their setups.
Ferrari initially held the provisional lead with Leclerc and Sainz setting early benchmarks on medium tires. However, once the soft tire runs began, Norris emerged at the top, just edging out Leclerc by under a tenth. Leclerc had a close encounter with the wall at Turn 14, prompting Ferrari to inspect for damage.
Oscar Piastri continued to push boundaries, experiencing a dramatic moment running wide at Turn 7 and later hitting the wall at Turn 17. His teammate Norris also had a minor incident, brushing the barrier at Turn 3.
George Russell's session ended prematurely after a crash at Turn 8, losing his front wing and causing a halt to the session. He managed to place seventh, leading the Mercedes charge.
Amid adjustments and incidents, Sergio Perez claimed eighth, although he struggled with car balance and reported an "all over the place" feel. Max Verstappen, facing a challenging day, finished 15th, over a second off the pace.
Elsewhere, Lewis Hamilton battled "massive understeer" and rear-end issues, finishing 11th. Franco Colapinto experienced a pit stop mishap, mistakenly stopping at the wrong garage, ending the session in 16th.
As the practice sessions concluded, it was clear that Leclerc and Norris were the drivers to watch, each showing remarkable pace and skill. With technical challenges and close calls setting the scene, the Singapore Grand Prix promises to be a spectacle of speed and strategy.
