Max seventh in Singapore FP1

Published on 18 September 2015 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen finished the first free practice session of the Singapore Grand Prix in seventh place. On the between turn 11 and 13 slightly altered Marina Bay Street Circuit, Nico Rosberg clocked the fastest lap (1:47.995) which made German about a second and a half faster than the Dutch youngster. Lewis Hamilton completed the Mercedes supremacy at the top of the table by occupying P2, followed by Red Bull Racing's Daniel Ricciardo. Carlos Sainz was ninth.

Although the Singapore Grand Prix is a night race, FP1 kicks off in daylight. Max does not have the best of starts. The STR10 grinds to a halt only yards after leaving the pit box. The car is pushed back and the mechanics investigate the issue. After fifteen minutes, the Dutchman heads out for the second time. The issue appears to be resolved as Max is able to clock several laps.

Just after the halfway point in the session, Max informs the team that his tyre temperature sensors are not working. Nevertheless, the 17-year-old has no problems lapping the challenging streets of Singapore as, moments later, he sets the sixth quickest time.

Soon after, the Scuderia Toro Rosso drivers heads back to the pits with another issue. Judging by Max climbing out of his car and taking his helmet off, it is a time consuming problem.

As we enter the last half an hour and the darkness has swamped the city, the Toro Rosso mechanics once again enable Max to take to the track in his STR10. He squeezes out his fastest lap of the session (1:49.446) before heading to the pits. It proved to be Max' last lap of FP1 as another issue prevents him further participating.

In the final minutes of the session, a red flag halts it, as rookie Alexander Rossi hits the wall at turn 18 on his first outing in the Manor.

Marina Bay Street Circuit - Singapore Grand Prix - Friday 18 September 2015

RESULTS FREE PRACTICE 1
 P  No Driver             Team          Time       Gap   Laps
 1  6 Nico Rosberg       Mercedes      1:47.995             27
 2 44 Lewis Hamilton     Mercedes      1:48.314   +0.319s   24
 3  3 Daniel Ricciardo   Red Bull      1:48.331   +0.336s   21
 4  5 Sebastian Vettel   Ferrari       1:48.494   +0.499s   23
 5  7 Kimi Räikkönen     Ferrari       1:48.785   +0.790s   20
 6 77 Valtteri Bottas    Williams      1:49.380   +1.385s   19
 7 33 Max Verstappen     Toro Rosso    1:49.466   +1.471s   17
 8 27 Nico Hulkenberg    Force India   1:49.854   +1.859s   21
 9 55 Carlos Sainz       Toro Rosso    1:50.019   +2.024s   28
10 13 Pastor Maldonado   Lotus         1:50.068   +2.073s   21
11 14 Fernando Alonso    McLaren       1:50.123   +2.128s   21
12 11 Sergio Perez       Force India   1:50.125   +2.130s   23
13 12 Felipe Nasr        Sauber        1:50.158   +2.163s   18
14  8 Romain Grosjean    Lotus         1:50.341   +2.346s   23
15 22 Jenson Button      McLaren       1:50.455   +2.460s   21
16  9 Marcus Ericsson    Sauber        1:50.883   +2.888s   21
17 19 Felipe Massa       Williams      1:51.035   +3.040s   18
18 26 Daniil Kvyat       Red Bull      1:51.188   +3.193s    8
19 28 Will Stevens       Marussia      1:53.903   +5.908s   20
20 53 Alexander Rossi    Marussia      1:53.918   +5.923s   18 

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