Singapore GP FP3: Leclerc Fastest in the final practice session in wet conditions

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc posted the fastest time of 1:57.782 in the final practice session in the changing conditions of the Marina Bay Circuit, Singapore.

As predicted by the meteorologist department, heavy rain fell before Saturday’s practice session. The deluge caused the pitlane to be closed when the session started for the first 30 minutes. After half an hour, the light went green and drivers went onto the track with full wet tyres. After some running, the conditions changed to favour the intermediate tyres, and Pirelli provided an extra set to teams. Charles Leclerc posted the fastest session time on intermediate tyres. Behind him was Max Verstappen, who was +0.526s behind him. Carlos Sainz was P3 in the other Ferrari ahead of Alpine’s Fernando Alonso. 

Sergio Perez finished on P5 and was the last driver within 2 seconds of Leclerc’s fastest time. All the fastest times set by drivers were made on intermediate tyres. There wasn’t much drama that folded in the final practice session as there was very limited running. Nicolas Latifi took the scenic route on the escape road at one time, and Mick Schumacher was at the receiving end of stewards’ investigation after he was released in front of Leclerc’s path in the pitlane. 

George Russell and Lewis Hamilton had difficulty navigating the track in wet conditions, finishing P9 and P12 more than three seconds behind Leclerc. Their performance in the first and second practice sessions in dry conditions and struggle in the third session indicated that they would be hoping for no rain in qualifying or on race day.

FP3 Classification