FP2: Norris shines as Leclerc challenges and Russell crashes in thrilling Singapore practice
Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool
Lando Norris of McLaren topped the timesheets during the second practice session for the Singapore Grand Prix on Friday. The session ended dramatically as George Russell collided with the wall in his Mercedes.
After an initial practice run during twilight, the action continued under the floodlights at Marina Bay for FP2, offering teams another critical hour to fine-tune their setups for the weekend.
Ferrari initially dominated the session. Charles Leclerc posted an early best time of 1:31.655 on medium tires, with his teammate Carlos Sainz three-tenths slower, making it a provisional one-two for the Scuderia. Following them were Williams' Alex Albon, Russell, and the Red Bull duo of Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo.
Approximately 20 minutes into the session, drivers switched to the softer compound for qualifying simulations. Albon was among the first to take the top spot with a time only 0.015s faster than Leclerc on mediums.
Eventually, Norris claimed P1 with a lap time of 1:30.727, edging out Leclerc by just under a tenth. Leclerc mentioned over the radio that he had brushed the wall at Turn 14, requesting Ferrari to inspect for possible damage.
Sainz held a distant third position, with Tsunoda and Ricciardo flanking Oscar Piastri's McLaren. Russell led the charge for Mercedes but ended his session by losing his front wing after hitting the wall at Turn 8.
Azerbaijan GP winner Piastri encountered his own challenges, running wide at Turn 7 and hitting the wall at Turn 17. Norris also brushed the barrier at Turn 3, diverting onto an escape road to avoid slower traffic.
Red Bull and Mercedes struggles. Sergio Perez was the fastest Red Bull in eighth, reporting that his car's balance was "all over the place" after receiving a black and white flag for crossing the pit exit line. Max Verstappen lagged in 15th, more than a second off the pace. Verstappen had also faced penalties earlier from the FIA for his language in Thursday's press conference.
Lewis Hamilton faced difficulties, struggling with "no rear end" and "massive understeer," ending up 11th in the rankings and being audibly frustrated over team radio.
Franco Colapinto, who mistakenly stopped at the wrong pit box, finished 16th in his Williams. The session saw the Alpines of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, and the Kick Saubers' Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas, bringing up the rear.
With the second practice session concluded amidst a host of incidents and close competition, drivers and their teams will now head back to the paddock to analyze the data and make final adjustments before the weekend continues.
Stay tuned as we approach final practice, where the teams will make vital tweaks in preparation for what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable Singapore Grand Prix.
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