Source: Official Team Post via X
Singapore F1: Russell Tops First Practice Amidst Grid Penalty Drama
George Russell led the first practice session in Singapore, though he's set for a back-of-the-grid start due to a new power unit. As the Sprint Qualifying looms, teams like Ferrari and McLaren are showing competitive pace, with Red Bull yet to reveal their full potential.
The 2026 Singapore Grand Prix kicks off with its first practice session, offering a glimpse into the competitive landscape as teams prepare for the Sprint weekend. George Russell emerged as the fastest in FP1, but his performance comes with the caveat of a back-of-the-grid start on Sunday after a strategic decision to take on new power unit components. Despite this penalty, Russell's pace is a positive sign for Mercedes, even as they juggle different car specifications to assess their upgrades.
With the Sprint Qualifying up next, Russell is a strong contender, having shown his prowess on the circuit by securing pole here last year. However, Ferrari and McLaren have also displayed impressive speed, while Red Bull held back on using soft tires, opting to test their pace on harder compounds. Kimi Antonelli, another key figure in the mix, similarly refrained from the softs, suggesting there’s more to come from the Italian driver.
The format for Sprint Qualifying will challenge teams with its shorter segments and mandated tire use — mediums for SQ1 and SQ2, and softs for SQ3. Track position will be crucial on the dusty circuit, as will avoiding incidents that could disrupt warm-up laps.
Among the other notable events, Nico Hulkenberg's Audi suffered a gearbox issue, prompting an urgent repair effort ahead of the next session. The session itself was typical of street tracks, with dust and grip levels gradually improving. Russell's best time put him ahead of Charles Leclerc by a couple of tenths, and Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, and Oscar Piastri rounded out the top five, all on soft tires.
As FP1 concluded, Antonelli narrowly avoided a mishap at Turn 16, but the focus remains on the upcoming Sprint Qualifying, where strategies and tire choices could shuffle the pack. The challenge lies in balancing aggressive lap times with the need for a clean run on a track that demands precision.
In terms of grid position, while Singapore isn't quite as overtaking-averse as Monaco, starting at the front has historically been advantageous, with 11 of the 16 races won from pole. However, the Sprint format introduces an element of unpredictability that might shake up the usual order.