Leclerc Leads Practice at Singapore Grand Prix
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc set the pace during the first practice session for the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix, clocking a best time of 1:31.763. McLaren's Lando Norris followed closely behind, finishing just 0.076 seconds off Leclerc's time. As the team's gear up for this weekend's race, both drivers are keen to gain ground on championship leader Max Verstappen, who came in fourth, 0.334 seconds slower than Leclerc.
The Marina Bay street circuit has proven challenging for drivers, especially in daylight conditions. Leclerc and Norris are among the few drivers who have secured pole positions in the last five races, making qualifying essential in Singapore, where overtaking opportunities are limited. Last year, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz claimed victory in this race, providing a glimmer of hope for the Scuderia as they look to repeat that success.
Sainz third and Piastri sith as Verstappen gets warning for inappropriate language
Sainz finished third in the session but expressed concerns over his car's brake balance, stating, "We need to sort out the brakes. It cannot be that we changed the brake balance so much."
Meanwhile, Verstappen, who was ordered to report to the stewards for using inappropriate language in a press conference, struggled with understeer throughout the session. His remarks have led to a required "work of public interest" as a form of reprimand.
Yuki Tsunoda of Red Bull impressed with a fifth-place finish, while Oscar Piastri, last weekend's winner in Azerbaijan, recovered from early issues to secure sixth. Piastri faced a delay due to a problem with his car during pit-stop practice but managed to participate in the session after repairs. Daniel Ricciardo finished seventh, adding more pressure as speculation swirls regarding his future with the team.
While McLaren leads the Constructors' Championship, they are 20 points ahead of Red Bull, who have historically dominated the circuit. Despite recent struggles, both McLaren and Ferrari are hoping to apply more pressure on Verstappen this weekend. Mercedes, on the other hand, had a lacklustre showing with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finishing outside the top ten.
As teams prepare for the more telling nighttime practice session, all eyes will be on how the drivers adapt to the cooler conditions under the floodlights. Practice Two begins at 21:00 local time, promising to deliver more insights ahead of qualifying.
The stage is set for an exciting weekend in Singapore as Leclerc and Norris aim to challenge Verstappen's supremacy.
