Source: Official Team Post via X
Russell Tops Sole Practice Session in Singapore Ahead of Grand Prix
George Russell secured the fastest lap in the only practice session at the Singapore Grand Prix, outpacing Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris. The session saw drivers pushing limits on the challenging Marina Bay Street Circuit.
In a spirited display at the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix, George Russell emerged as the fastest driver in the sole practice session, leaving the competition trailing in his wake. The Mercedes driver clocked a best lap of 1m 32.274s, edging out Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by 0.198 seconds, while McLaren's Lando Norris was just under three-tenths behind.
With limited time to adjust to the tricky Marina Bay Street Circuit, teams and drivers wasted no time, hitting the track at 1630 local time. Despite dusty conditions, the session was a flurry of activity as drivers sought to fine-tune their setups.
Russell, who is set to start at the back of the grid due to power unit changes, noted, "the car feels very stiff," as he navigated the circuit's notorious bumps. Meanwhile, Lance Stroll and Lando Norris both found themselves exploring the run-off areas, illustrating the circuit's unforgiving nature.
Early on, Norris set the pace with a 1m 34.367s, but it was Leclerc who first dipped below the 1m 34s mark. However, it was Kimi Antonelli who momentarily held the fastest time with a 1m 33.830s.
Drama unfolded as Norris narrowly avoided the barriers at Turn 9, and Audi's Nico Hulkenberg ground to a halt near the pit exit, citing gearbox issues. This prompted a brief Virtual Safety Car period, allowing teams to shift focus from long runs to qualifying simulations.
Russell was the first to switch to soft tyres, instantly leaping to the top with a 1m 32.864s. Lewis Hamilton briefly claimed the fastest time with a 1m 32.821s, but Russell responded with a blistering 1m 32.274s in the final minutes, securing his place at the top of the timesheets.
Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen followed, with Verstappen setting his best time on medium tyres. The top ten was rounded out by Antonelli, Isack Hadjar, Pierre Gasly, and Liam Lawson.
Further down the order, Ollie Bearman led Haas in 11th, with Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad, Esteban Ocon, and Fernando Alonso in pursuit. Williams' Carlos Sainz, Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto, and others completed the field.
As the teams prepare for Sprint Qualifying, all eyes will be on how these practice insights translate into race performance at this challenging circuit.