Charles Leclerc Fires Warning Shot in Singapore GP Practice
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc sent a clear message to the competition, topping the timesheets in the first practice session for the Singapore Grand Prix. The Monegasque driver clocked an impressive lap of 1:31.763s at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, narrowly edging out McLaren’s Lando Norris by just 0.076 seconds in a fiercely contested session.
Ferrari on Fire: Leclerc and Sainz Start Strong
Leclerc’s pace was matched by a strong showing from teammate Carlos Sainz, who finished third fastest, showcasing Ferrari’s intent to challenge at the front this weekend. Championship leader Max Verstappen, still hunting for his first win on this notoriously tricky circuit, was fourth fastest, unable to crack the top three in his Red Bull.
Red Bull and McLaren Mix it Up in the Top 10
Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda continued his impressive form, securing fifth, while his teammate Daniel Ricciardo slotted into seventh, showing solid pace. The McLarens looked competitive, with Norris leading the charge in second, but his teammate Oscar Piastri struggled, only managing sixth after a scrappy session that saw him run wide at Turn 10 and brush the wall. Despite these errors, Piastri kept the car intact but was left trailing Norris by over half a second.
Williams Rising: Albon Impresses Again
Williams’ Alex Albon showcased the team’s ongoing resurgence, finishing eighth and underlining the impressive gains made by the storied team. His teammate, Franco Colapinto, made a solid debut at the challenging street circuit, finishing just outside the top 10 in 11th, narrowly missing out on the top spots by 0.003 seconds behind Alpine’s Esteban Ocon.
Mercedes Struggles: Hamilton and Russell Off the Pace
It was a subdued session for Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton grappling with understeer issues, ultimately finishing a disappointing 12th. His teammate George Russell fared even worse, ending the session in 16th, a far cry from the front runners. Mercedes will need to find pace quickly if they hope to challenge this weekend.
Mixed Fortunes for the Midfield
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon rounded out the top 10, while Sergio Perez had a challenging session, running off track early and ending up in 14th place. Haas’s Kevin Magnussen made his return after missing the last race, but could only manage 17th in a session that was largely incident-free.
Tight Competition Sets the Stage for a Thrilling Singapore GP
The first practice session in Singapore has set the tone for what promises to be an intense weekend under the lights. With Leclerc leading the charge and the top teams closely matched, the fight for supremacy at the Marina Bay Street Circuit is just getting started. As teams work to refine their setups and strategies, all eyes will be on Ferrari and Red Bull to see who can seize the upper hand in this pivotal round of the championship.
