Singapore Grand Prix: Friday Practice Insights
Singapore – Lando Norris, fresh off last year’s victory at the Singapore Grand Prix, expressed frustration after an underwhelming performance in Friday’s practice sessions. Norris, who claimed pole and won the race by over 20 seconds last year, ended FP2 in fifth place, half a second behind teammate Oscar Piastri.
“It’s just a difficult day for me, not feeling too great with the car,” Norris commented. “Missing all the feelings that I had here last year. Just a bad day.” He acknowledged Piastri’s pace, conceding, “I’ve got nothing to complain about, bar just not doing a very good job.”
Norris’s day was further complicated by a clash with Charles Leclerc during a pit lane release, which he noted impacted the team’s budget: “It cost the team a bit of money, which is a shame.”
In contrast, Piastri exhibited optimism, finishing FP2 fastest. He reported positive progress with tire performance, stating, “I found my feet on the medium [tire]. The car’s been in a good place. I feel like I’ve learned a lot today.” Piastri strategically focused on qualifying trim, stating, “Qualifying is a massive part of the weekend here.”
Max Verstappen, lurking just behind the McLarens in the championship standings, ended both practice sessions in third. “FP1 started quite nicely,” he reflected. “The car was not too bad… We need to optimize a bit more. Overall, I’m quite satisfied.” He emphasized the importance of minor adjustments, particularly in managing tire temperatures.
As the teams prepare for qualifying, the competitive landscape remains tight, with McLaren and Red Bull battling for supremacy on the challenging Marina Bay Circuit.
