Title: Ferrari shines while Red Bull struggles in Singapore Grand Prix practice
Subtitle: Charles Leclerc leads the way, while Red Bull drivers battle handling issues
Date: [Date]
[City, Country] – The Ferrari team ended Friday’s practice sessions at the Singapore Grand Prix on a high note, securing a brace of 1-2 results. Meanwhile, both Red Bull drivers, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, faced unexpected handling difficulties with their Formula 1 cars.
In the opening free practice session, Charles Leclerc topped the charts, narrowly beating his teammate Carlos Sainz by a mere 0.078 seconds. However, it’s worth noting that this session took place during daylight, which made track conditions unrepresentative of the actual race. The session was also distinguished by the presence of Singapore’s lizard population, which caused some interruptions during drivers’ laps. Unfortunately, one lizard was hit by a car at Turn 9.
As night fell and temperatures dropped, Leclerc made another attempt to secure the fastest time in the second practice session (FP2). However, a small mistake in the final two corners cost him the advantage he had built over the previous sectors, leaving him just 0.018 seconds behind Sainz.
While Ferrari showcased control over the sessions, both Red Bull drivers struggled with their cars’ handling. Verstappen managed to secure the third-fastest time in FP1 but dropped to eighth position in FP2. Perez, on the other hand, finished seventh in both sessions.
The second practice session is typically more indicative of race conditions, as it reflects track temperatures closer to those during the actual event. However, FP1 still held value for drivers to adapt to the new circuit layout without the four 90-degree corners at the back end of the circuit.
Despite Friday’s struggles, Red Bull can mathematically secure the constructors’ title this weekend if Mercedes falters. However, the Brackley outfit appeared to have the faster package at the Marina Bay circuit. George Russell, driving for Mercedes, claimed the third-fastest time of the session but fell behind Ferrari due to straightline performance.
The question now is whether Red Bull can overcome their Friday difficulties. While the team may find solutions through overnight sim work, their struggles with one-lap pace raise concerns. However, the medium tyres are expected to be the preferred choice for the race, and Red Bull showed promise during longer runs.
Ferrari has demonstrated strong one-lap pace, and Leclerc and Sainz appear to be the main contenders for pole position. Mercedes and Aston Martin may have an edge over a single lap, but their strengths seem oriented towards the race. Fernando Alonso, in particular, showed promise in terms of average race laps during the FP2 simulations.
With limited overtaking opportunities on the track, securing pole position could be crucial for drivers. Ferrari’s defensive efforts in Monza suggest that if they can lock out the front row, they will have a good chance of fending off their rivals and securing their first win of the season.
Moreover, there’s a possibility that Ferrari hasn’t yet unleashed its full potential, as Russell suggested that the team wasn’t running at full power during Friday’s sessions. If Red Bull can find a solution to their early struggles, a four-team battle for victory in the Singapore Grand Prix might be on the cards.
As teams prepare for qualifying, the stage is set for an exciting weekend of racing in Singapore.