Ferrari Dominates FP1 Despite Green and Dusty Conditions
Charles Leclerc kicked off the Singapore Grand Prix weekend with a statement, setting the fastest time in a dusty and green opening practice session at Marina Bay Street Circuit. The track conditions were far from ideal, with high temperatures and the sun setting midway through the session, but Leclerc’s 1:31.763s lap was enough to put him ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris by a razor-thin 0.076 seconds. Ferrari’s strong start, with Carlos Sainz finishing third, signals that the Scuderia is ready to challenge at a circuit they’ve historically enjoyed.
Verstappen Struggles as Red Bull’s Singapore Curse Continues
Championship leader Max Verstappen could only manage fourth fastest, highlighting the ongoing struggles Red Bull faces at this track. Despite the Adrian Newey-designed car’s prowess at most circuits, the tight, twisting Marina Bay layout continues to be a thorn in their side. Verstappen battled understeer and overheating tires throughout the session, an ominous sign as Red Bull braces for a difficult weekend.
Surprises and Setbacks: Tsunoda Impresses, Piastri Fumbles
Red Bull’s junior team, VCARB, made waves with Yuki Tsunoda securing an impressive fifth place, continuing his recent surge in form. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, fresh off a win last weekend, had a mixed session. He was delayed by a mechanical issue early on and struggled to match Norris’s pace, ultimately finishing sixth. Piastri’s afternoon was marked by a close brush with the wall at Turn 10, a stark contrast to his teammate’s clean and confident performance.
Ricciardo, Albon, and Alonso Round Out the Top 10
Daniel Ricciardo, with speculation about his future swirling, posted the seventh-fastest time, just ahead of Williams’ Alex Albon, who continues to underline the team’s recent improvements. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon completed the top ten, both delivering solid if unspectacular performances in a session that saw few major incidents.
Mercedes in Trouble: Hamilton and Russell Struggle Again
It was another tough outing for Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton finishing a lowly 12th and teammate George Russell languishing in 16th. Both drivers wrestled with understeer and inconsistent performance, highlighting the team’s ongoing struggle to get on top of their W15’s tire temperature issues. Toto Wolff’s squad is clearly still grappling with the car’s handling, leaving them well off the pace heading into the weekend.
Pirelli Tyres and Upgrades: Teams Tinker with New Parts in Singapore
Pirelli has brought the familiar C3, C4, and C5 compounds to Singapore, the same as those used in recent races at Monza and Baku. Teams rolled out various upgrades, with Red Bull tweaking their front brake ducts and Ferrari debuting a new front wing designed to improve downstream aerodynamics. McLaren, sporting a special livery, introduced a high-downforce beam wing to better suit the tight Singapore layout. Meanwhile, Aston Martin, Alpine, and Williams all made minor adjustments to adapt their cars to the circuit’s demands.
Late-Session Drama: Leclerc Goes All Out, Alonso Saves a Near Disaster
As the session wound down, drivers switched to soft tires for a series of qualifying simulations. Leclerc pushed the limits, using every inch of track to reclaim the top spot, while Alonso had a dramatic moment on the kerbs, narrowly avoiding the wall in a heart-stopping save. With nine minutes remaining, Hamilton continued to voice frustration over his car’s traction issues, while Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz also reported braking problems.
Singapore GP: The Battle Heats Up
With the sun setting over the Marina Bay Circuit, the opening practice session has set the stage for what promises to be a fiercely competitive weekend. Ferrari looks strong, McLaren is on the rise, and Red Bull is on the back foot at a venue that has never been kind to them. As teams fine-tune their setups under the floodlights, the question remains: who will conquer Singapore’s streets, and who will falter under the pressure?
