George Russell tops the only free practice for the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, lapping two tenths quicker than Charles Leclerc in a daylight session.

Lando Norris is third, with Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri rounding out the top five. Kimi Antonelli sits seventh after a late error ruins his final push lap.

Clear conditions and consistent track temperatures allow meaningful setup work. Teams prioritise long-run data and ride compliance to prepare for sprint qualifying later today.

Max Verstappen loses radio communication for almost half the session, complicating run-plan adjustments. Despite that, he records sixth, indicating workable baseline speed even with compromised feedback loops.

Nico Hülkenberg stops on track with an unexplained Audi issue, triggering a virtual safety car. He coasts to pit exit, limiting disruption while the team initiates fault-finding checks.

On pace, Mercedes and Ferrari appear the reference, but Red Bull and McLaren remain within striking distance. Expect a tight delta once cars tune for the unique Singapore demands tonight.

Antonelli’s pace looks encouraging before the mistake, though traffic and preparation variability cloud headline times. The rookie’s recovery run will matter as qualifying grip ramps sharply.

Set-up focus trends toward kerb compliance, traction stability, and tyre warm-up sequencing. With the Friday sprint format, single practice heightens the penalty for misjudged ride heights and aero balance.

Data suggests a narrow spread among the frontrunners, so execution will decide grid slots. For a fuller rundown, see our practice report later today.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.