Lando Norris overtakes Charles Leclerc to win the Singapore Grand Prix in an important second observe session as title rival Max Verstappen A tricky fifteenth place end.
McLaren’s Norris, 59 factors behind Verstappen within the Drivers’ Championship with seven rounds of the season to go, beat Ferrari’s Leclerc by a tenth of a second to show across the odds early on Friday. The outcomes of the primary observe match a while in the past.
The second of three observe periods in Singapore was essentially the most iconic because it was carried out below the identical floodlit evening circumstances as Saturday qualifying and Sunday’s race.
Norris and Leclerc look like on the identical stage on the beautiful road circuit, with Carlos Sainz’s different Ferrari six tenths again in third, and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was a tenth behind in fifth place.
Verstappen, who has gone seven races with no win as Purple Bull struggles, completed fifteenth simply over a second off the tempo of team-mate Sergio Perez. Higher, eighth.
RB mixture Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo carried out properly on this competitors, ending fourth and sixth respectively.
Mercedes additionally appeared to lack tempo, with George Russell ending seventh and Lewis Hamilton eleventh, with the previous damaging his entrance wing when he hit the wall at Flip Eight late within the race. .
Norris stays targeted as McLaren, Ferrari hit the stride once more
Though Norris makes an attempt to catch Purple Bull’s Verstappen, McLaren’s fundamental rival on the monitor is clearly Ferrari.
Each groups have gained the final three races, and with the primary two races being very tight, an analogous battle may emerge in Singapore after Norris and Leclerc had been evenly matched all through Friday.
The Briton completed 0.058 seconds forward of Leclerc with a time of 1:30.727, with the pair additionally impressing most within the longer race simulation in a while.
Norris stated: “The tempo was good. I felt good. It was an excellent lap. I feel we’re doing what we anticipated, to be within the lead with Ferrari.
“I hoped to have a much bigger hole than I had, which might imply the Ferrari was very, very quick. However to date it is going properly.”
Norris’ sturdy efficiency comes amid fury over McLaren’s rear wing in Piastri’s victory in Azerbaijan final weekend, with the game’s governing physique now ordering them to make adjustments forward of the beginning of the season later within the season. It was used once more on different low strain tracks.
McLaren holds a 20-point lead over Purple Bull within the constructors’ championship on the Singapore circuit, which is able to determine the title race as a lot of the leaders are driving on the restrict.
Norris and Piastri each reported contact with the guardrail, whereas Verstappen complained of a scarcity of grip and struggled to remain on the road.
Verstappen was overtaken by Perez in qualifying for the primary time in 34 races final weekend in Baku, and proof on Friday instructed he might be behind his teammate in one other race.
Saturday’s qualifying session is especially vital on the Singapore circuit, as overtaking on the winding metropolis streets is tough.
Sky Sports activities F1 Singapore Grand Prix stay schedule
Saturday, September 21
8am: F1 Academy first race
10.15am: Singapore Grand Prix observe three (begins at 10.30am)
1pm: Singapore Grand Prix qualifying preparations
2pm: Singapore Grand Prix Qualifying*
4pm: Ted’s Qualification Pocket book
Sunday, September 22
8.30am: F1 Academy Race 2
11:30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Singapore Grand Prix preparations
1pm: Singapore Grand Prix
3pm: Checkered flag: Singapore GP response
4pm: Ted’s Pocket book
* Additionally broadcast stay on Sky Sports activities Primary Occasion
F1’s thrilling 2024 season continues stay on Sky Sports activities F1 this weekend with extra beautiful road circuit racing, this time below the lights of the Singapore Grand Prix. Watch every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Monthly Membership – no contract, cancel anytime