Singapore GP 2024: Charles Leclerc dominates FP1 while Hamilton struggles - Results

In the opening session of the Singapore GP 2024, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc asserted his dominance, topping the timing sheets in Free Practice 1 (FP1) with an impressive lap of 1:31.763s. The battle for supremacy in this session was tight, with McLaren's Lando Norris following closely, just 0.076 seconds behind the Monegasque driver.

The Marina Bay Street Circuit, known for its challenging layout, has undergone modifications this year, including the removal of a tricky final sector, now allowing four DRS zones, which significantly impacted the pace and action on the track.

Leclerc’s swift lap highlighted Ferrari’s early form in Singapore, while Norris showcased McLaren’s continuing resurgence with another strong performance. The British driver, determined to build on his recent success, stayed competitive throughout the session.

Ferrari continued its strong showing as Carlos Sainz, Leclerc’s teammate, secured the third-fastest time. The Spaniard clocked in a 1:31.952s lap, finishing just over a tenth behind Norris, reaffirming Ferrari's strength at this street circuit. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who has never claimed victory in Singapore, finished fourth, trailing Leclerc by 0.334 seconds. Despite being the current championship leader, Verstappen's Red Bull appeared to struggle for outright pace, with the Dutchman yet to unlock the full potential of his car in Singapore.

Oscar Piastri struggled in FP1!

Oscar Piastri, McLaren’s rookie sensation and the winner of last week’s Azerbaijan GP, had a mixed session. While he managed the sixth-fastest time, a brush with the wall during the session hampered his performance, leaving him over six-tenths off Leclerc’s benchmark.

In contrast, Lewis Hamilton faced a tough start to his Singapore weekend. The Mercedes driver could only manage the 12th-fastest time, finishing 0.916 seconds off the pace. The seven-time world champion will need to make significant improvements to get back into the fight at this challenging circuit.

As teams continue to gather data and make adjustments, the battle is set to intensify in the following practice sessions. With Leclerc, Norris, and Sainz setting the early pace, it remains to be seen if Verstappen or Hamilton can turn the tables in the upcoming sessions.

FP1 Results - Singapore GP 2024