We have reached the eighteenth round of the 2024 season, and the Singapore Grand Prix confirms itself as one of the most anticipated events on the calendar. The peculiarity of racing under the artificial lights ofthe Marina Bays, on one of the most challenging and spectacular city circuits, makes this race a true classic for drivers and enthusiasts. But, Before getting into the heart of the weekend, let's see what happened in FP1 of the Singapore GP.
Singapore GP – FP1: The night show begins
The fight for the top is more heated than ever, with Ferrari and McLaren are the protagonists of an increasingly close battle. Red Bull, historically dominant, seems destined to remain a spectator, victim of a drop in competitiveness that could exclude it from the fight for the podium once again. Ferrari, after excellent performances in Monza and Baku, is aiming to reduce the gap in the constructors' standings from McLaren, now in the lead with a 20-point advantage. The Prancing Horse is aiming for victory in Singapore too, confident in a rediscovered SF-24, on a new front wing and on a track that brought luck last year with the triumph of Carlos Sainz. The latest aerodynamic developments, especially the update to the car's floor, have transformed the SF-24, allowing the Maranello team to return to competing at the highest levels after a difficult first part of the season.
The goal for the Singapore GP is clear: to repeat last year's performance.
The world challenge is renewed in Singapore: here's what happened in FP1
The FP1 of the Singapore GP opened the curtain on a weekend that looks set to be decisive for the fate of the world championship, with Ferrari and McLaren ready to do battle and a Red Bull that will try to climb back up the slope on a track that has been an obstacle in the past. This weekend could not only reshape the world scenario but also mark a turning point in the drivers' market. The latest rumours from the paddock speak of a last dance by Daniel Ricciardo in Singapore. The Australian driver, whose contract expires at the end of the season, could be replaced by Liam Lawson as early as next race weekend. It will also be a decisive weekend for Franco Colapinto, who is pushing to secure a seat in F1 in the final rounds of the season.
In the first phase of the session, with a green track with little rubber and dirt, all the drivers take to the track with Hard or Medium compounds. The first attempts see Lando Norris move ahead of the group with the Medium compound, followed by Max Verstappen and Sainz with the Hard. With 6 laps behind him, Charles Leclerc approaches Norris' time with the Hard tyre, moving into second position. Oscar Piastri, the winner of the Baku GP, stopped in the pits due to a problem on his MCL38. A problem localised in the left rear part and which was noticed during the pit stop tests. After 15 minutes of apprehension, the alarm is called off, so the Australian is given the green light to go out on the track, and he does so with the Hard compound. Different type of work therefore at McLaren.
With the track green, Sergio Perez lost control of the RB20, ending up wide at Turn 16. No problems for the Mexican who then returned to the track regularly.
After the first 20 minutes Leclerc clocked an interesting 1'33″698 improving with Hard tyres and bringing himself to half a second from Norris. Time that the Monegasque improved, going under the 1:33 wall, 1'32″702 making the difference especially in the first two sectors. Norris with soft tyres regains the lead. Albon also climbs into the top 5, with a Williams protagonist, together with Colapinto, of an excellent result in Baku.
Last half hour of testing, testing the soft tyres and the long runs
All the drivers in the last half hour of free practice choose to take to the track with the Softs, to make a first attempt on the Singapore track where the starting position makes the difference. Leclerc tries the first lap with Soft tyres, improving in the first sector and in the second, but failing to complete the lap. Norris with Soft tyres drops further to 1:31.839. The second fastest driver is Sainz, 3 tenths away.
Lando Norris is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated drivers of the weekend, given his failure to qualify for Q2 in Baku which prevented him from aiming for a better result.
Meanwhile, at Ferrari, they are making set-up adjustments, modifying the incidence on the front wing as requested by Leclerc and Sainz before launching a second attempt on the softs. Leclerc manages to get first place with a 76 thousandth advantage over Norris, who returned to the track with the Mediums for a long run simulation. The simulations of the top teams are inconsistent, between Mediums and Hards. Leclerc seems to have more on the Hards. Not a particularly satisfying start for Red Bull with Verstappen showing a bit of degradation on the Medium tyre, but we are still in the first session of Friday.
