Singapore Grand Prix FP2: Top 10 & Session Summary
The Singapore Grand Prix kicked off its second practice session under the Marina Bay Street Circuit's vibrant lights. Teams continued their quest for optimal setups, battling the challenging track conditions and humidity. Here's a breakdown of the key moments and the top 10:
Top 10
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): 1:42.228
- Sergio Perez (Red Bull): 1:42.276
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes): 1:42.413
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull): 1:42.445
- George Russell (Mercedes): 1:42.542
- Lando Norris (McLaren): 1:42.979
- Fernando Alonso (Alpine): 1:43.275
- Carlos Sainz (Ferrari): 1:43.393
- Esteban Ocon (Alpine): 1:43.609
- Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo): 1:43.855
Session Summary
Early Stages:
- The session commenced with drivers focusing on setup adjustments and tire evaluations.
- Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez initially set the pace, but Ferrari's Charles Leclerc quickly took the lead.
- Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were comfortably within the top 5.
- Several drivers experienced lockups and minor spins, highlighting the track's challenging nature.
Mid-Session:
- The mid-session saw drivers switch to soft tires, aiming for qualifying simulations.
- Leclerc maintained his strong performance, setting the fastest time at 1:42.228.
- Red Bull's Perez challenged Leclerc closely, finishing just 0.048 seconds behind.
- Mercedes, despite a strong showing, remained slightly off the pace of Ferrari and Red Bull.
Late Stages:
- Drivers continued to push for improved lap times, with a few drivers pushing their cars to the limit.
- While Leclerc held on to the top spot, his lead over Perez remained razor thin.
- Hamilton and Russell remained competitive, solidifying Mercedes' strong performance in the session.
- Several drivers experienced issues with their cars, including an engine issue for Pierre Gasly's AlphaTauri, bringing out the red flag momentarily.
Key Takeaways:
- Ferrari and Red Bull appear to have the upper hand in Singapore, with both teams showcasing strong pace.
- Leclerc's dominance in FP2 puts him in a strong position heading into qualifying.
- Mercedes appears to be in close pursuit, but they will need to improve their performance if they want to challenge the top two teams.
- The Singapore Grand Prix promises to be an exciting race, with several teams capable of challenging for victory.
Looking Ahead:
The teams will now shift their focus to finalizing their setups and preparing for qualifying on Saturday. Expect intense battles for pole position, setting the stage for a thrilling race under the Marina Bay lights on Sunday.
