F1 Singapore GP: Friday Practice Results - Verstappen Leads the Way
The Singapore Grand Prix is underway, and the first day of practice has thrown up some interesting results. Max Verstappen set the pace in both sessions, topping the FP1 and FP2 timesheets, as he looks to continue his dominant 2023 season.
FP1: Verstappen Sets the Early Pace
The first practice session saw Verstappen immediately show his pace, with his initial lap putting him ahead of Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc. The Red Bull driver continued to improve throughout the session, ultimately setting a time of 1:30.073, just 0.147 seconds ahead of Perez.
However, the session wasn't without its drama. Fernando Alonso caused a red flag with a spin into the wall, while Carlos Sainz experienced a power unit problem, resulting in his early retirement.
Top 5 FP1 Times:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 1:30.073
- Sergio Perez (Red Bull) - 1:30.220
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 1:30.306
- George Russell (Mercedes) - 1:30.358
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - 1:30.454
FP2: Verstappen Dominates Again
The second practice session saw Verstappen continue his strong form, topping the timesheet with a time of 1:29.171. This was a significant improvement on his FP1 time, demonstrating the Red Bull's impressive pace on the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Fernando Alonso finished second, a respectable 0.677 seconds behind Verstappen, while George Russell took third. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc rounded out the top five, with Carlos Sainz finishing a disappointing 12th after his power unit problems persisted.
Top 5 FP2 Times:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 1:29.171
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) - 1:29.848
- George Russell (Mercedes) - 1:30.061
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - 1:30.135
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 1:30.158
Key Takeaways from Friday Practice
- Verstappen's dominance: The reigning World Champion continues to show impressive pace, setting the fastest times in both sessions. This suggests that Red Bull could be in a strong position for qualifying and the race.
- Mercedes' improvement: Mercedes showed good pace in both sessions, with Russell and Hamilton consistently among the top five. This could indicate a potential challenge for the top two teams in the race.
- Alonso's strong showing: Alonso impressed with his second-place finish in FP2, demonstrating the strong performance of the Aston Martin. He could be a dark horse in the race.
- Ferrari struggles: Ferrari had a less impressive Friday, with Leclerc and Sainz struggling to find the pace. However, it's too early to rule them out, especially considering their recent performance in Singapore.
The first day of practice has given us an exciting glimpse into the potential for the Singapore Grand Prix. With Verstappen leading the way, the battle for pole position and victory promises to be intense, with the Mercedes and Aston Martin drivers poised to challenge the Red Bulls.
