Max Verstappen leads the FP3 session in Singapore, staying ahead of Oscar Piastri and George Russell in a tense final practice before qualifying.
Introduction
The Marina Bay Circuit came alive as Max Verstappen once again reminded everyone why he’s the man to beat. The Red Bull driver stormed to the top of the timesheets during the third and final practice session ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, edging out McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by just 0.017 seconds. Mercedes’ George Russell followed closely in third, setting up a thrilling qualifying battle later in the evening.
But this session was more than just about who went fastest. It was filled with drama, fine-tuning, and crucial last-minute adjustments under the Singaporean heat.
A Hot Start to the Final Practice
The final practice session began at 5:30 PM local time under noticeably warmer conditions than Friday’s sessions. The heat reflected off the circuit, making it a challenge for the drivers to find grip early on. Unlike the chaotic FP2, FP3 started off calmly, as teams focused on making fine adjustments before the crucial qualifying session.
Haas Leads the Early Runners
The Haas duo were the first to venture onto the circuit, opting for medium tyres as they gathered data. It was a cautious start, with most teams taking their time before pushing for flying laps. This stage was all about reading the track temperature and planning tyre strategies for qualifying.
Lando Norris Sets the First Benchmark
By the 15-minute mark, McLaren’s Lando Norris became the first to make a serious statement, clocking a 1m 31.021slap. His race engineer’s cheerful “Welcome back” summed up the team’s confidence. It didn’t take long for the other front-runners to respond, though.
Red Flag Chaos as Lawson Crashes Again
The calm was broken when Liam Lawson lost control at Turn 8, clipping the wall and bringing out the red flag. The VCARB 02 suffered significant damage, marking another tough session for the young driver after his FP2 incident. The recovery work caused a brief pause as marshals cleared debris from the track.
Mercedes Brings Out the Soft Tyres
When the session resumed, both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli switched to soft tyres, indicating a shift toward qualifying simulations. The Mercedes cars looked stable, though Russell initially mentioned he was still “struggling for confidence” in certain corners — a reminder of his FP2 crash.
Albon Impresses While Sainz Struggles
Williams’ Alex Albon briefly stole the spotlight by going second fastest on the C5 soft tyres, showing impressive pace. Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz faced a tough moment when he ran down the escape road at Turn 14, only to reverse and rejoin safely. Despite the hiccup, Ferrari remained in the mix.
Antonelli Shines in Mercedes’ Qualifying Run
Young Kimi Antonelli continued to show maturity beyond his years. The Italian went quickest midway through the session with a 1m 30.760s, briefly topping the charts before Verstappen and others responded. His calm approach under pressure continues to impress both fans and the paddock.
Hamilton Under Investigation for Red Flag Infringement
A bit of controversy arose when Lewis Hamilton, who Antonelli replaced for the session, was noted for a red flag infringement from an earlier incident. The matter was referred to the stewards for post-session investigation. Despite this, Hamilton’s pace wasn’t too far off the top ten.
Leclerc and Norris Trade Blows for P1
As the soft-tyre runs intensified, Charles Leclerc briefly topped the timing sheets with a strong lap for Ferrari. However, Norris immediately retaliated, reminding everyone of McLaren’s consistency in Singapore. The constant swapping of the top spot kept the fans at Marina Bay on the edge of their seats.
Verstappen Strikes Back with a Perfect Lap
Then came Max Verstappen. The reigning world champion delivered a flawless 1m 30.148s lap, pushing his Red Bull to the limit. The Dutchman’s precision and timing were unmatched — it was like watching a conductor lead an orchestra, every move in perfect sync. He outpaced Piastri by just 0.017 seconds, a razor-thin margin that highlighted the intensity of the session.
Russell Finds Form but Lacks Confidence
George Russell slotted into third but admitted over team radio that he still felt uneasy in the same corner where he crashed on Friday. Despite this, his performance showed Mercedes had recovered some balance overnight, giving them hope for qualifying.
A Busy Final Few Minutes of Traffic and Precision
The last few minutes of FP3 were frantic. With cars weaving through traffic and drivers pushing for final lap data, it almost looked like rush hour — only at 300 km/h. Verstappen had a close call with Franco Colapinto’s Alpine while trying to give space to Pierre Gasly, but he kept control and retained the top spot.
Top 10 Rundown and Surprise Performances
Behind Verstappen, Oscar Piastri secured second with a brilliant late lap, followed by Russell and Antonelli in fourth. Norris, Sainz, and Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar impressed in the top seven. Hamilton finished eighth ahead of Nico Hulkenberg and Leclerc, rounding out the top ten.
Midfield Battles and Late Drama
Outside the top ten, Albon took 11th for Williams, followed by rookie Gabriel Bortoleto in 12th for Kick Sauber. The Haas duo of Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman finished 13th and 14th, respectively, while Fernando Alonso could only manage 15th after being asked to bring his Aston Martin home slowly with car issues. The remaining positions were taken by Colapinto, Stroll, Tsunoda, Gasly, and Lawson.
All Eyes on Qualifying
With the final practice session wrapped up, the stage is set for an intense qualifying battle under the Singapore lights. The margins are incredibly tight — less than two-tenths separate the top four. Verstappen’s pace has sent a warning, but McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari all seem within striking distance.
Who will claim pole under the floodlights? We’ll soon find out when qualifying begins at 9 PM local time.
Conclusion
FP3 in Singapore wasn’t just another practice session — it was a statement. Max Verstappen showed his class with surgical precision, but Piastri and Russell proved that Red Bull won’t have it easy. With qualifying just hours away, the tension couldn’t be higher. Under the night sky of Marina Bay, every millisecond will count.
FAQs
1. Who went fastest in FP3 at the Singapore Grand Prix?
Max Verstappen topped the FP3 session with a time of 1m 30.148s, narrowly beating Oscar Piastri by 0.017 seconds.
2. Which drivers completed the top three?
Verstappen led the way, followed by Piastri in second and George Russell in third.
3. Why was the session red-flagged?
The session was briefly stopped after Liam Lawson crashed into the wall at Turn 8, damaging his Racing Bulls car.
4. Was Lewis Hamilton penalized during FP3?
Hamilton was noted for a red flag infringement, and the stewards confirmed it would be investigated after the session.
5. When will qualifying take place for the Singapore Grand Prix?
Qualifying is scheduled to start at 9 PM local time, promising another thrilling under-the-lights showdown.
