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Lando Norris ends almost five tenths clear of Russell in second with Piastri in third in the final practice session at the Singapore Grand Prix.
A battle between Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc seems to be brewing. The pair have been the two quickest drivers in both FP1 and FP2.
On the other hand, Red Bull and Mercedes look to be struggling this weekend. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have been the most vocal about balance issues with their respective cars.
Light turns green
No drivers opted to go out as soon as the light turned green. However, Aston Martin pair Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll were the first drivers to venture out of the pitlane on the medium compound.
However, a red flag was brought out for a bizarre reason. A lizard was in the middle of the track bringing out the red flag. It is not the first time a lizard has been on the Marina Bay Circuit – 2023 FP1 encountered one and Verstappen encountered one back in 2016.
Laptimes coming in
Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas was the first driver to set a laptime when the light went green again. The Finn set a 1:34.504 on the soft compound tyre – ahead of both Alpine drivers.
Stroll then went to the top with a 1:34.122 on the medium compound. However, his teammate Alonso instantly beat the Canadian’s time, setting a 1:33.306 on the same compound.
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri then went to the top, setting a 1:32.957. Both Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton slotted behind the Australian in second and third.
A third into the session, Verstappen went to the top. The Dutchman set a 1:32.044 on the medium compound. Meanwhile, Piastri reported to his team’s radio that his “balance feels better than yesterday”.
Norris set his first laptime of the session. The Briton slotted into second place with a time that was two-and-a-half tenths behind the Dutchman’s time. Verstappen reported to his team’s radio that his car feels “much better” than yesterday.
Verstappen further improved his laptime to a 1:31.630 on the medium compound, clearly feeling more comfortable with his RB20. Norris’ latest time was only good enough to be four tenths behind the Red Bull driver.
Norris went for another lap on his medium tyres, going only 0.018 seconds slower than Verstappen’s time. However, Leclerc went quickest, setting a 1:31.525 on the medium compound.
Qualifying runs
Russell was the first driver to set a meaningful lap on the soft compound tyre. The Mercedes driver set a 1:30.125 on the soft compound. Piastri’s time was only good enough for second – three tenths behind Russell.
Verstappen set his time on his soft tyre run. The Dutchman set a time only good enough for third – four tenths beind Russell. The Red Bull driver went wide at the final corner.
Norris set all three purple sectors to go right to the top of the timesheet. The Briton set a 1:29.646 – 0.479 seconds quikcer than Russell’s time.
FP1’s pace setter Leclerc could only manage to go fifth on his soft tyre run. Ferrari don’t look as comfortable as yesterday. The Monegasque reported that he had “no grip”.
Norris ended the session just under five tenths clear of Russell with his teammate Piastri in third.
Results
- Lando Norris
- George Russell
- Oscar Piastri
- Max Verstappen
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lewis Hamilton
- Alex Albon
- Franco Colapinto
- Fernando Alonso
- Yuki Tsunoda
- Nico Hulkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Pierre Gasly
- Sergio Perez
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Lance Stroll
- Esteban Ocon
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
Feature Image Credit: Jayce Illman via Getty Images