Leclerc Leads FP1; Ferrari-McLaren Battle Ignites

Charles Leclerc led the first practice in Singapore, signaling the start of a fierce battle between Ferrari and McLaren.

The Singapore Grand Prix began during daylight, as is traditionally the case for FP1. Under a gray sky, with rain threatening over the city-state this weekend, drivers were able to get their bearings on the Marina Bay circuit.

Few developments are noteworthy: Red Bull introduced front brake ducts for better cooling, Ferrari has a new front wing with different upper flaps, and McLaren added a higher downforce beam wing under the rear wing.

Aston Martin has a “more aggressive” front wing, Alpine brings a high-downforce rear wing, Williams has a new front suspension for increased performance, while RB F1 has a circuit-specific front wing.

McLaren encountered an issue with Oscar Piastri’s car during pit stop practice, requiring the team to change the left rear assembly of the Australian’s MCL38. Initially, the team hoped to get him out “before the end of FP1,” but he ultimately missed only 12 minutes of running.

Several drivers took to the track in the opening minutes, as the Marina Bay circuit demands confidence and understanding of the car. Charles Leclerc set a time of 1’35 on hard tires.

Carlos Sainz posted a better benchmark at 1’34.720, beaten by Max Verstappen’s 1’34.417. Lando Norris went even faster with a 1’33.903; both he and Verstappen were on medium tires, while Sainz was on hards.

Yuki Tsunoda and his RB F1 VCARB 01 with a special denim-celebrating livery moved into second place, quickly overtaken by Leclerc in second. Lance Stroll slotted in ahead of Tsunoda, and Norris improved to a 1’33.199.

Sergio Pérez was the first to make a mistake by running straight on, without consequence. Alex Albon took third fastest on hard tires, behind Sainz who had also improved, and Franco Colapinto placed sixth.

Leclerc then took the lead of the session with a 1’32.702. Piastri broke into the top 10, as did Esteban Ocon, who set the provisional seventh-fastest time. Sainz also made a harmless error in a chicane.

The drivers then switched to soft tires, and Norris retook the lead of the session with a 1’32.165. Verstappen set the second-fastest time, and Lewis Hamilton the third. Albon posted the third-best time ahead of Hamilton as the Ferraris went out on soft tires.

Kevin Magnussen recorded the sixth-fastest time, and Colapinto moved up to fourth, less than two-tenths behind Albon. Leclerc slotted in between the Williams cars, and Tsunoda moved into second, less than a tenth behind Norris.

As always on street circuits, the track improved with more cars on it, and Sainz moved up to second, just one-thousandth of a second behind Norris! Pérez could do no better than ninth, six-tenths off the pace.

Alonso had a big slide and nearly ended up in the wall. When asked by his engineer if he had intentionally pressed the speed limiter button, the Spaniard replied honestly: “No, I was pressing all the buttons to avoid crashing!”

Leclerc then took control of the session with a 1’31.763. Tsunoda and Ricciardo climbed back into the top 10, as did Piastri. And the Monegasque driver remained unchallenged until the end of the session.

He finished on top ahead of Norris and Sainz, followed by Verstappen, Tsunoda, Piastri, Ricciardo, Albon, Alonso, and Ocon completing the top 10. Colapinto was 11th ahead of Hamilton’s first Mercedes. Pierre Gasly followed ahead of Pérez, who complained about not being able to brake his car.

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Leclerc Tops FP1; Singapore Hierarchy Unclear Leclerc Tops FP1; Singapore Hierarchy Unclear