The second free practice for the Singapore Grand Prix offered everything that makes a street circuit exciting: crashes, red flags, and a surprising outcome. In the end, it was Oscar Piastri who set the pace with the fastest time on the Marina Bay Street Circuit, ahead of Isack Hadjar and Max Verstappen.
As every year, FP2 is held under artificial light, in conditions that are much closer to the qualification and race. Most teams initially opt for the medium tire, with McLaren this time immediately making its presence felt at the front. As the track gets faster, lap times plummet rapidly.
George Russell demonstrates how things can go wrong on a street circuit: the Brit loses control of his Mercedes in turn 16 and shatters his front wing. The red flag has to be brought out to clean up the track.
After a break of just over ten minutes, the gas is pressed again, this time most drivers opting for the soft tire. The qualification simulation seems to be getting off to a good start, until Liam Lawson crashes hard into the wall and his car comes to a halt with three wheels. Again red, and again delay.
As if that wasn’t enough, things go wrong immediately in the pit lane at the restart. Lando Norris is pushed towards the wall by Charles Leclerc, causing his McLaren to sustain a damaged front wing and has to be pushed back by his mechanics.
In the final phase of the session, almost the entire field focuses on fast laps. Fernando Alonso shows his speed just like in FP1, but is outdone by Max Verstappen. The Dutchman can’t enjoy the top time for long, as Piastri dives under it and ends the session as the fastest.
The third free practice is scheduled for tomorrow at 09:30 UTC.
