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Russell Crashes Norris Leads FP2 Max 15th

Norris Fastest in FP2; Russell Crashes, Max 15th

20/09/2024

During the second practice session at the Singapore Grand Prix, Lando Norris led the times, George Russell crashed his Mercedes, and Max Verstappen could only manage 15th, making for an eventful session full of surprises.

Between the day’s two practice sessions, the FIA asked McLaren F1 to change its rear wing to prevent it from opening as it did in Baku. The team agreed without issue, as expressed in a statement.

“Although our Baku rear wing complies with regulations and passes all FIA deflection tests, McLaren has proactively offered to make some minor adjustments to the wing following our conversations with the FIA. We also expect the FIA to have similar discussions with other teams regarding the conformity of their rear wings.”

The second session began under artificial lights, and Max Verstappen had some fun after being penalized for his language: “My radio button is stuck!” The Red Bull driver was on a fast lap but didn’t outperform Alex Albon, who clocked a 1:33.632 on mediums for Williams, while the Dutchman set a time two-tenths slower on hard tires.

Lando Norris did better on hard tires with a 1:33.608, but Charles Leclerc significantly outpaced him on mediums with a 1:32.788. Lance Stroll slotted into third, while Sergio Pérez received a black and white flag for crossing the line at pit exit.

Albon improved to second place on medium tires, and Franco Colapinto moved into third on hards. Daniel Ricciardo took the lead with a 1:32.652 on mediums, and George Russell positioned himself fourth.

Verstappen couldn’t do better than sixth, and Lando Norris took the second-fastest time. Carlos Sainz beat Ricciardo by eight thousandths of a second with a 1:32.644. Verstappen complained of significant lack of grip. Leclerc went faster with a 1:32.627, and Hamilton complained of lack of traction.

The Williams team, confirming their good form with the new suspension on the FW46, improved. Colapinto moved up to sixth on hard tires, and Albon set the fastest time with a 1:32.238! Leclerc then went quicker with a 1:31.665, and Sainz placed second.

Like Verstappen before him, Pérez complained of a lack of balance. Yuki Tsunoda and Ricciardo climbed to fifth and sixth. Albon was the first to switch to soft tires and outpaced everyone with a 1:31.650.

Russell reported over the radio that he was in “limp home” mode—a safety setting that slows the car down. However, he eventually managed to restart his car and returned to the track for a fast lap. Other drivers headed out on soft tires.

Russell set the fastest time with a 1:31.488 but was soon surpassed by Oscar Piastri’s 1:31.474. Norris then posted an impressive 1:30.727, while Verstappen placed eighth with a 1:32 despite using soft tires. Tsunoda moved into second between the McLarens, and Leclerc nearly bettered Norris but fell short by 0.087 seconds. Ricciardo secured the fifth-fastest time, while the Haas drivers took eighth and ninth behind Albon.

The second half of the session was calmer until Russell went off the track in the very last minutes. The Mercedes driver was able to continue with a heavily damaged front wing.

Norris thus finished on top ahead of Leclerc and Sainz, followed by Tsunoda and Piastri. Ricciardo confirmed RB F1’s good form ahead of Russell, Pérez, Albon, and Hülkenberg. Hamilton and Alonso followed, Verstappen was only 15th, and the Alpines were 17th and 18th.

PosDriverNat.TeamTime
1Lando NorrisGBRMcLaren F1 Team1m30.727s
2Charles LeclercMONScuderia Ferrari1m30.785s
3Carlos SainzESPScuderia Ferrari1m31.356s
4Yuki TsunodaJPNVisa Cash App RB F1 Team1m31.468s
5Oscar PiastriAUSMcLaren F1 Team1m31.474s
6Daniel RicciardoAUSVisa Cash App RB F1 Team1m31.478s
7George RussellGBRMercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team1m31.488s
8Sergio PerezMEXOracle Red Bull Racing1m31.598s
9Alex AlbonTHAWilliams Racing1m31.650s
10Nico HulkenbergGERMoneyGram Haas F1 Team1m31.667s
11Lewis HamiltonGBRMercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team1m31.709s
12Fernando AlonsoESPAston Martin Aramco F1 Team1m31.750s
13Kevin MagnussenDENMoneyGram Haas F1 Team1m31.793s
14Lance StrollCANAston Martin Aramco F1 Team1m31.957s
15Max VerstappenNEDOracle Red Bull Racing1m32.021s
16Franco ColapintoARGWilliams Racing1m32.057s
17Esteban OconFRABWT Alpine F1 Team1m32.119s
18Pierre GaslyFRABWT Alpine F1 Team1m32.222s
19Zhou GuanyuCHNStake F1 Team Kick Sauber1m32.359s
20Valtteri BottasFINStake F1 Team Kick Sauber1m32.786s

Russell Crashes; Norris Leads FP2; Max 15th Russell Crashes; Norris Leads FP2; Max 15th

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