Carlos Sainz led the second practice session at the Singapore Grand Prix, delivering strong vibes behind the wheel of Ferrari with a best time of 1:42.587. The Madrid native sat just two-tenths ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc and finished a close third behind Mercedes ace George Russell. World Champion Max Verstappen, already commanding a sizable championship lead with 116 points ahead of Leclerc and only six races remaining, loomed as the title favorite and could potentially seal the crown this weekend at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Lewis Hamilton, fastest in Free Practice 1, rounded out the top five by the session’s close, ending the day with solid pace and meaningful data for race strategy.
Leclerc embarked on the weekend facing a string of issues. Early on he reported a brake problem that sidelined him for much of the opening session. Ferrari technicians, guided by insights from experts, worked to resolve the fault so Leclerc could rejoin and post a competitive lap in the late stages, ending up just two tenths shy of Sainz. Unlike his teammate, Leclerc’s best lap came on medium tires after a slower start on softer compounds, underscoring the team’s ongoing tire management discussions as they hunt for peak pace in Singapore.
Red Bull appeared to keep their cards close in Singapore, with Verstappen managing only eight laps due to a suspension issue. Teammate Sergio Pérez finished the session in ninth, signaling a cautious approach while the squad analyzes setup and reliability data ahead of qualifying.
Gasly’s car on fire
Pierre Gasly had a scare when a flare-up occurred as AlphaTauri prepared for another run. He exited the car safely, prevented by rapid action from the pit boundary and track marshals as fuel pressure sparked a brief fire. The incident stood out as one of the more dramatic moments of the afternoon session and highlighted the series of safety checks teams routinely perform in the Singapore heat.
Observers noted the unusual blaze as a standout moment in a season full of unusual events, with Gasly swiftly following his team back to the pit lane after the alarm. The incident underscored the importance of reliability checks amid Singapore’s demanding conditions.
Pilot OK. The clip circulated widely on social media as a reminder of how even routine sessions can deliver high drama in F1’s most punishing races.
— DAZN Spain on X
In the midfield battle, Alpine made a notable statement with Esteban Ocon finishing in the top eight and Fernando Alonso showing competitive pace. The French squad joined Alfa Romeo and Bottas as a strong presence in the pecking order, signaling a tight battle for fourth place in the constructors’ standings. This momentum contrasted with Norris and Ricciardo, whose McLarens were not at their best on this occasion, suggesting a shift in the pecking order as teams accumulate data for Sunday’s race.
The second practice session, held at night under Singapore’s heat, still saw ambient temperatures around 29°C with the track peaking near 33°C on asphalt. Those conditions are expected to persist for Sunday’s race, widely regarded as one of the most physically demanding on the calendar. This Saturday’s final free practice is scheduled for noon local time, followed by the decisive qualifying session as Verstappen aims to secure pole and extend his advantage in the title chase on his 25th birthday.
Singapore Grand Prix. Free 2 results
-
Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 1:42.587
-
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.208
-
George Russell (Mercedes) +0.324
-
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.339
-
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +0.595
-
Esteban Ocon (Alpine) +0.825
-
Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) +0.844
-
Fernando Alonso (Alpine) +0.933
-
Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) +1.319
-
Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) +1.395
-
Lando Norris (McLaren) +1.426
-
Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) +1.662
-
Kevin Magnussen (Haas) +1.835
-
Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) +1.882
-
Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo) +1.937
-
Alexander Albon (Williams) +2.557
-
Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) +2.624
-
Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) +2.860
-
Mick Schumacher (Haas) +3.036