Sports · Motorsport · 2 days ago
Russell leads Singapore’s only practice session ahead of sprint qualifying
George Russell was fastest in the only practice session at the Singapore Grand Prix, ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Lando Norris.
The session took place at Singapore’s Marina Bay circuit before sprint qualifying later on Friday.
Russell will start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid because he took a new engine after an engine failure in Malaysia.
Mercedes is comparing two car versions: Russell used an older specification, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli kept the newer upgrade.
The session offered limited clues about race pace because the track was hot and dusty, and drivers used different tyre types.
Russell’s time was quickest among those on soft tyres, while Max Verstappen was fastest among drivers on medium tyres.
Sprint qualifying is next, followed by the sprint weekend’s remaining competition and Sunday’s Grand Prix.
George Russell was fastest in the only practice session at the Singapore Grand Prix, setting a time of 1:32.274.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was second, 0.198 seconds behind Russell, while McLaren’s Lando Norris was third, 0.273 seconds back.
Max Verstappen was sixth and the fastest driver on medium tyres; championship leader Kimi Antonelli was seventh, also on medium tyres.
Russell will start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid after a penalty linked to using too many engine parts.
Mercedes ran different car specifications for Russell and Antonelli to compare the older car with the new aerodynamic package introduced in Malaysia.
Nico Hulkenberg stopped in his Audi with a problem, briefly bringing out a Virtual Safety Car; sprint qualifying was scheduled for later on Friday.
- Who
- George Russell, Charles Leclerc and other Formula 1 drivers
- What
- Russell set the fastest time in the sole practice session for the Singapore Grand Prix.
- When
- Friday, 9 October 2026
- Where
- Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore
- Why
- The session was the only practice before sprint qualifying; Mercedes also used it to compare different car specifications.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Something bad happened on the gearbox.
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- Russell’s lap time
- 1:32.274
- Leclerc’s gap to Russell
- 0.198 seconds
- Norris’s position and gap
- Third, 0.273 seconds behind
- Verstappen’s position
- Sixth and fastest on medium tyres
- Sprint qualifying
- Scheduled for 13:30 BST on Friday, 9 October
- Russell’s starting position for Sunday
- Back of the grid, following an engine-parts penalty
Sources
‘Old’ Mercedes serves Russell well in Singapore GP practice
Russell tops sole Singapore practice
Russell fastest from Leclerc in Singapore practice
F1 Singapore GP: George Russell on top, Max Verstappen sets impressive lap
George Russell fastest from Charles Leclerc in sole Singapore GP practice
F1 Singapore GP: Russell tops FP1 with Verstappen also impressing
Russell fastest in 'downgraded' Mercedes in only Singapore practice
Russell tops opening Singapore GP practice
Russell quickest in old-spec Mercedes as Antonelli and Red Bull pair save tyres | Formula 1
F1 Results Today: Singapore Grand Prix practice times and positions from Marina Bay
F1 2026 Singapore Grand Prix practice results
Russell quickest in sole Singapore practice
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