Russell fastest in Singapore practice but faces back-of-grid start
George Russell was fastest in practice for the Singapore Grand Prix on Friday, 9 October, but will start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid after a penalty for using too many engine parts. BBC Sport
The Mercedes driver led Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by 0.198 seconds. McLaren’s Lando Norris was third, 0.273 seconds off Russell’s pace.
All of the top five used soft-compound tyres, the fastest and shortest-lived rubber available. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton was fourth, 0.499 seconds back. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri completed the top five.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was sixth, 0.732 seconds off the pace, but he was the quickest driver on medium tyres. The medium is a step harder and slower over one lap, which explains much of that gap. Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli was seventh, also on mediums.
Isack Hadjar took eighth, with Pierre Gasly ninth and Liam Lawson tenth. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso was down in 14th.
Friday’s running in Singapore was limited to a single practice session, scheduled from 4:30pm to 5:30pm local time. Motorsport.com That gave teams one hour to dial in car balance on a street circuit known for heat, humidity and little room for error.
For fans, this means the timing screens tell two stories at once. Russell has the early speed. He will not keep the benefit on Sunday. Qualifying will now decide who among Leclerc, Norris, Hamilton and Piastri starts best placed to control the race from the front.
