Max second in Singapore FP1

Published on 30 September 2022 by Stefan Meens

On his 25th birthday, Max Verstappen was second fastest in the opening practice session of the Singapore Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton was quickest in his Mercedes. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc completed the top three. Max’ Oracle Red Bull Racing team mate, Sergio Perez, was fifth fastest.

Where qualifying and the race are scheduled for the evening and under artificial light, the first Friday practice session at the Marina Bay Street Circuit is run during daylight, meaning the track conditions in FP1 will most likely not reflect the conditions in the remainder of the weekend.

Nevertheless, teams and drivers are keen to take to the track after the event has been off the Formula 1 calendar for two consecutive years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Alfa Romeos of Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas are the first cars on track. Soon after, Max sets his first timed lap of the day, promptly followed by quicker lap times as the circuit rubbers in. At the halfway mark, Max leads the way ahead of Fernando Alonso (Alpine), Perez, Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and Esteban Ocon (Alpine).

With twenty minutes to go, most teams opt for their drivers to run the soft Pirelli tyres, meaning the lap times continue to tumble. Just after Max completes his first flying lap on the red-walled softs, the red flag is waved. Lance Stroll has hit the wall in his Aston Martin and is forced to park the car trackside.

Once the session is resumed, a lot of drivers find the limit and occasionally venture over it, fortunately without serious consequences and merely resulting in yellow flags being waved. As the lap times continue to improve, it is Lewis Hamilton who clocks the quickest lap of the session in the closing minutes, resulting in a Mercedes topping the session on a circuit that has been notoriously challenging for the Silver Arrows in previous years.

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Results first free practice Singapore: