The opening free practice session of the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix unfolded under clear skies at the Marina Bay Street Circuit as teams introduced crucial upgrades in anticipation of the extended break following the race weekend.
Upgrades and technical changes
Several teams have introduced updates aimed at improving performance on this high-downforce track. Here's a look at the upgrades the teams have brought in:
- Front Corner (Circuit Specific):
New larger front brake duct to improve cooling during hot and humid conditions at the Marina Bay circuit.
McLaren
- Beam Wing (Circuit Specific)
Higher downforce beam wing tailored for the street track, increasing overall aerodynamic load.
Ferrari
- Front Wing (Performance):
New front wing with revised third and fourth elements to enhance downstream airflow and widen polar range.
- Front Wing (Circuit Specific):
Aggressive flap on the front wing to increase load and balance with the rear wing
- Front Suspension (Performance):
New front suspension with updated wishbones, track rods, pushrods, brake ducts, and body panels to alter airflow and increase local load.
- Front Wing (Circuit Specific):
New front wing with a larger updated camber and chord flap to increase airflow load and balance with the rear wing for the street track.
- Rear Wing (Performance):
Reprofiled rear wing to increase load and downforce for the Marina Bay circuit.
Early session struggles
Despite the influx of upgrades, the opening phase of the session saw several drivers struggle to find grip as the track was still evolving. With little rubber laid down, many drivers encountered issues with understeer and lacked confidence in the corners. Lando Norris quickly set an early benchmark of 1:33.903, placing him half a second ahead of Max Verstappen and further ahead of Carlos Sainz. Norris looked strong in the early stages on the medium compound tyres, while both Ferrari drivers opted for the harder rubber.
Oscar Piastri's session began on a shaky note after his McLaren team encountered an issue with the rear-left corner of his car during morning pitstop practice. The Australian had to wait for repairs before joining the track 15 minutes into the session.
Leclerc and Norris exchange fast laps
As the track began to rubber in, Charles Leclerc set the fastest time on the hard tyres with a 1:32.702, a positive start for Ferrari. However, Norris continued to impress, switching to the softer C5 compound and clocking a 1:32.165, further distancing himself from the rest of the pack. Max Verstappen, who has yet to win in Singapore, could not match Norris's pace, ending the session 0.216 seconds behind.
The Red Bull drivers faced additional challenges, with Sergio Pérez locking up at Turn 16 and Verstappen complaining about cold feet, which hindered his confidence in the car. Pérez, usually strong on street circuits, struggled to control the car's front end and expressed concerns about brake issues, particularly with his front right.
Midfield dynamics
In the midfield, Yuki Tsunoda delivered a standout performance, posting the third-fastest time temporarily during the session. His VCARB displayed strong potential despite understeer in high-speed corners. Behind him, Fernando Alonso provided one of the session's most dramatic moments when his car's rear stepped out after taking too much kerb, yet the Spaniard managed to save the slide with lightning reflexes.
Williams also showed some promise, with Albon benefiting from the team's latest upgrades. Though cautious in his expectations, Albon seemed encouraged by the car's performance during the session, positioning himself well in the top ten.
Incidents and close calls
The tight confines of Marina Bay once again proved challenging for the drivers. Franco Colapinto had a minor brush with the wall at Turn 13, and Piastri grazed the barrier at Turn 10, leaving a mark on his right-rear wheel. Lance Stroll found himself in Tsunoda's way during the latter's flying lap, leading to a frustrated radio message from the VCARB driver, bringing back memories of their previous clash in Baku.
Towards the end of the session, Lewis Hamilton struggled with traction on corner exits, particularly dealing with rear-wheel spin, a problem he previously encountered in Baku. The seven-time champion reported that his attempts to manage throttle application weren't enough to prevent the issue, calling for changes to the setup ahead of FP2. Carlos Sainz also requested adjustments to his car's brake balance. Several other drivers also reported difficulties dealing with the brake balance.
Final classification
As the chequered flag fell, Leclerc emerged on top at 1:31.763, closely followed by Norris, who ended the session just 0.076 seconds behind. Carlos Sainz rounded out the top three, while Verstappen remained fourth, unable to fully challenge the leaders. Tsunoda's solid showing saw him finish fifth, ahead of Piastri, who recovered well after his earlier setback. Daniel Ricciardo also had a decent session, finishing in seventh, though speculation about his future remains.
The session set the tone for what promises to be a highly competitive weekend, with many teams still needing to fine-tune their setups for the next practice sessions. Norris' early pace will give McLaren confidence, but with Ferrari showing strength in different areas, it's clear that FP2 could reveal much more about the pecking order heading into qualifying.
Top 5 Times:
1. Charles Leclerc – 1:31.763
2. Lando Norris – 1:31.839
3. Carlos Sainz – 1:31.952
4. Max Verstappen – 1:32.097
5. Yuki Tsunoda – 1:32.263
Teams will now focus on refining their setups to unlock more performance ahead of the crucial FP2 session later in the day.
