Singapore Grand Prix: Final Practice Summary
Max Verstappen recorded the fastest lap in the final practice session for the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix, clocking 1:30.148 aboard an upgraded Red Bull Racing car. This performance solidified his position as a frontrunner, though it’s worth noting that he has never secured pole in Singapore, with Red Bull’s last P1 start at this circuit dating back to 2013.
The top five drivers were closely matched, separated by a mere 0.09 seconds. Oscar Piastri emerged as Verstappen’s nearest competitor, finishing just 0.017 seconds off the pace. Piastri achieved this time during more representative conditions on a set of soft tires, demonstrating notable performance in the middle sector.
George Russell followed closely behind, just 0.049 seconds slower than Verstappen. He acknowledged a lack of confidence after a crash at Turn 16, stating, “I’m still struggling for confidence in the corner I crashed yesterday. The rear’s on the edge.”
Teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Lando Norris both recorded identical times, 0.089 seconds behind Verstappen, with Antonelli narrowly ahead due to an earlier lap. Carlos Sainz placed sixth for Williams, surprisingly competitive given the high downforce nature of the circuit, 0.244 seconds off the lead pace.
Lewis Hamilton finished eighth, 0.411 seconds away from the fastest time, and is facing further scrutiny due to a potential investigation for a red flag infringement following the session. Nico Hulkenberg and Charles Leclerc rounded out the top ten, with Leclerc 0.503 seconds off Verstappen.
The session was marred by a crash from Liam Lawson, who failed to set a representative lap time after losing control of his car at Turn 7, triggering the only red flag. While uninjured, Lawson’s crash added to the workload for his team, which had already dealt with repairs from a prior incident.
Session Results:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) – 1:30.148
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.017
- George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.049
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – +0.089
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – +0.089
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) – +0.244
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – +0.341
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – +0.411
- Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) – +0.481
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.503
The session sets an intriguing stage for qualifying later today, where drivers must adapt to cooler night conditions that differ significantly from FP3’s daytime environment.
