By: Another race weekend is under way: this week, we are in Singapore, where the Sprint will take place. Following this practice session, Sprint qualifying and the Sprint race will be held.
Cars on track
The lights turn green and the drivers head out on track, all on the white-walled tyres. As is customary in Singapore, the cameras immediately focus on the drivers’ special helmet designs.
The first time posted by the current championship leader is 1:37.699. Meanwhile, the first yellow flag is caused by an Aston Martin running wide.
After 15 minutes, Norris leads the way with a 1:34.367, followed by Verstappen and Russell. Leclerc lowers the benchmark further into the 1:33s, while several drivers lock up and cut Turn 1.
The track is finally starting to rubber in, and the results are clear: the real battle to lower the lap time as much as possible is now under way, in preparation for Sprint qualifying.
With 20 minutes remaining, Hulkenberg’s car stops at the pit exit: the driver reports a gearbox problem. The marshals immediately move the car away.
Russell fits the red-walled tyres and goes purple in every sector: the new fastest time is 1:32.864. The McLaren and Ferrari drivers also switch to softs, and the battle begins.
With 56 seconds remaining, a yellow flag is deployed. Kimi Antonelli has run wide into an escape road, but there are no consequences for either the car or the driver.
George Russell sets the fastest time, a 1:32.274. The Brit will start from the back for the GP following a power unit change, but he wanted to show that he is present and in good form. Leclerc and Norris follow him, while the championship leader is seventh.
Remember, Sprint qualifying takes place today at 14:30 Italian time!
All the news, photos, weather, session times and times from the Singapore GP 2026
