2024 Singapore GP: Free Practice 2 Leaderboard - Verstappen Dominates Under the Lights
The Singapore Grand Prix is back, and the second practice session delivered a thrilling glimpse into what promises to be a captivating weekend of racing. Max Verstappen continued his dominance, setting the fastest lap time of 1:28.645 under the Marina Bay Street Circuit's floodlights. The Red Bull driver comfortably topped the leaderboard, leaving his rivals in his dust.
Verstappen's Dominance
Verstappen's pace was evident from the start, consistently setting the fastest sectors throughout the session. His dominance was further reinforced by his ability to remain consistently quick even on used tires. This suggests that Red Bull has a strong car for the challenging Singapore track, which could make them a real force to be reckoned with for the race.
Ferrari's Struggle
While Verstappen thrived, Ferrari seemed to struggle with finding a good balance. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. finished seventh and ninth respectively, a disappointing showing for a team that has been competitive in recent races. Their lack of pace, particularly in the later stages, suggests that they have work to do before qualifying to get their SF-24 car ready for the race.
Mercedes's Promise
Mercedes, on the other hand, showed signs of improvement compared to FP1. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished fourth and fifth respectively, demonstrating a strong car setup for the street circuit. Their performance suggests that they could challenge for the podium, adding another layer of intrigue to the race.
The Battle for the Middle
The midfield battle remains tight, with drivers like Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris, and Esteban Ocon showing competitive pace. Alonso in particular impressed, finishing third and demonstrating the potential of the Alpine car on a track where overtaking is notoriously difficult.
Key Takeaways from FP2
- Red Bull's dominance suggests they will be strong contenders for pole position and victory.
- Ferrari's struggles could leave them playing catch-up during qualifying.
- Mercedes's improved performance indicates they could be a threat for the podium.
- The midfield battle is tight, with several drivers looking capable of scoring strong points.
Free Practice 2 Leaderboard
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 1:28.645
- Sergio Perez (Red Bull) - 1:29.012
- Fernando Alonso (Alpine) - 1:29.105
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - 1:29.198
- George Russell (Mercedes) - 1:29.276
- Lando Norris (McLaren) - 1:29.311
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 1:29.412
- Esteban Ocon (Alpine) - 1:29.534
- Carlos Sainz Jr. (Ferrari) - 1:29.609
- Nico Hulkenberg (Haas) - 1:29.742
With Free Practice 3 and qualifying still to come, the Singapore Grand Prix promises to be an exciting and unpredictable race. Keep your eyes peeled for further updates as the teams continue to refine their setups and strategies.
