F1 Singapore: Friday Practice Results (Full Leaderboard)
The Singapore Grand Prix weekend is off to a thrilling start, with the first two practice sessions offering a glimpse of what could be an exciting race. The Marina Bay Street Circuit, known for its challenging layout and unforgiving barriers, proved to be a tough nut to crack for drivers, especially in the humid and challenging conditions.
Here's a breakdown of the top performers and key takeaways from Friday's practice sessions:
FP1:
The first session was a mixed bag, with drivers testing various setups and getting acquainted with the track. Sergio Perez topped the timesheet for Red Bull, showcasing their early pace. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz from Ferrari were close behind, highlighting the tight competition expected throughout the weekend.
FP2:
The second session was a significant step up in terms of intensity, with teams focusing on race simulations and longer runs. Lewis Hamilton took the lead for Mercedes, demonstrating their strong pace and showing that they are definitely in the fight. Max Verstappen finished second for Red Bull, while George Russell completed the top three for Mercedes.
Full Leaderboard:
Here's a look at the complete leaderboard for both practice sessions:
FP1:
| Pos | Driver | Team | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | 1:43.038 | - |
| 2 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:43.207 | +0.169 |
| 3 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 1:43.254 | +0.216 |
| 4 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:43.334 | +0.296 |
| 5 | Fernando Alonso | Alpine | 1:43.639 | +0.601 |
| 6 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:43.734 | +0.696 |
| 7 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:43.805 | +0.767 |
| 8 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:43.879 | +0.841 |
| 9 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas | 1:44.152 | +1.114 |
| 10 | Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri | 1:44.243 | +1.205 |
FP2:
| Pos | Driver | Team | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:42.544 | - |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:42.820 | +0.276 |
| 3 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:42.900 | +0.356 |
| 4 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | 1:42.991 | +0.447 |
| 5 | Fernando Alonso | Alpine | 1:43.172 | +0.628 |
| 6 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:43.451 | +0.907 |
| 7 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:43.568 | +1.024 |
| 8 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 1:43.746 | +1.202 |
| 9 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | 1:43.783 | +1.239 |
| 10 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | 1:43.960 | +1.416 |
Key Takeaways:
- Mercedes' resurgence: The Silver Arrows appear to have found a competitive edge, with both Hamilton and Russell consistently challenging the Red Bulls for top spots.
- Ferrari's struggles: The Scuderia are facing an uphill battle, with both Leclerc and Sainz struggling to match the pace of Red Bull and Mercedes.
- Alpine's strong showing: Fernando Alonso continues to impress, consistently finishing in the top six and showing the potential of the Alpine.
- McLaren's mixed performance: Lando Norris showed strong pace, while his teammate, Oscar Piastri, struggled to find a good setup, finishing lower down the leaderboard.
The Singapore Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling spectacle. With the track's demanding nature and the unpredictable weather conditions, we can expect plenty of action and potential surprises. Stay tuned for qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday.
