Report: perfect start for Ferrari as Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz top FP1 in Singapore

Here is our full text transcript from the first free practice session for the 2023 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, which was held at the Marina Bay Street Circuit:

Formula 1 is back on the streets of Marina Bay for what is the toughest race on the calendar for the drivers, with the searing temperatures and high humidity pushing cars and drivers to the absolute limit.

Once again in 2023 we arrive at a race weekend wondering if anyone can stop Red Bull and Max Verstappen’s winning run, with the team yet to be beaten this season and the Dutchman setting a new Formula 1 record of ten consecutive wins last time out at Monza. But the Dutchman has never tasted victory here in Singapore and perhaps the winding streets and brutal conditions could open the door for a different winner this weekend.

The Singapore GP is a night race but this opening practice session will be taking place in the evening sunshine, so it is not that representative for the key parts of the weekend. The current air temperature is over 32 degrees while the track temperature is approaching a scorching 46 degrees.

But it is still a crucial session as drivers need as many laps as possible around here to build up their confidence so they can get as close to the walls as possible without ending up in the barriers. And the new changes to the track and the approach to the new Turn 16 leaves new braking points to be found, especially with not much run-off area available. They will want to dial themselves in ahead of this afternoon’s second practice session under the floodlights.

On goes the green light at the end of the pit lane and Lance Stroll leads Liam Lawson out onto the track. Very quick last time out on home soil in Italy, but Ferrari’s drivers have already warned that this weekend on the much-slower and twistier Marina Bay layout is likely to prove a little trickier.

“Ferrari have come off the back of a very strong weekend in Monza but we do expect on previous form this track won’t suit them as much compared to their nearest competitors,” says Karun.

55 mins to go: It’s a 1:37.895 from Lando Norris on the mediums which sets the benchmark pace. That’s also the fastest ever time F1 have done around Singapore…thanks to the new layout.

48 mins to go: Lando Norris moves the new target lap time to a 1:35.782. Carlos Sainz jumps into second, with Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc in third. Early stages remember though and we are not racing in the dark yet. And now it’s a Ferrari one-two. Charles Leclerc goes fastest in the opening two sectors and just holds on by 0.035s from Carlos Sainz. Max Verstappen slots into third, less than one tenth off the pace.

Some early steering angle tweaks required for Max Verstappen, who isn’t quite yet happy with his Red Bull judging by his latest team radio message. He’s been circulating on the hard tyres so far and is currently fourth fastest, a mere 0.098s off Leclerc’s current pace.

40 mins to go: Lando Norris is the only leading driver on the mediums but he’s sitting at the top of the timesheets by over half a second from Sergio Perez. Very encouraging signs for McLaren and their new upgrades. Could they be Red Bull’s biggest challengers in Singapore?

35 mins to go: George Russell lifts his Mercedes into second place behind Lando Norris’ upgraded McLaren. A 1:35.005 from Russell puts him two tenths off Norris’ leading time, but Mercedes are running the hard tyre compared to Norris’ medium run. Pierre Gasly is the first driver to throw on the soft tyres and immediately finds pace as he goes second. Singapore traditionally has a significant tyre delta, so expect that to be the case this weekend.

22 mins to go: Most drivers are on the soft tyres now and it’s Norris who comes out on top again. He’s 0.422s quicker than Sainz, with Russell and Hamilton making up the top four. Let’s see what the Red Bulls do on the soft rubber.

18 mins to go: Fascinating stuff. Charles Leclerc goes quickest on a 1:33.350 and Max Verstappen is 0.126s behind. Lando Norris is another half a tenth back, with Sergio Perez now fourth. Ferrari vs Red Bull vs McLaren anyone? And why not throw Mercedes in there as well since they are not far off the pace.

8 mins to go: It’s going to be the perfect start for Ferrari here as Sainz is now second, only 0.078s behind Leclerc. The traction of the Ferrari in the slow-speed corners is very strong.

Chequered flag: No one is going quicker as Practice One comes to an end. No red flags and the only incidents we saw were caused by the Singapore lizards! A great start to the Singapore weekend for Ferrari, as Charles Leclerc was fastest in FP, with a best lap time of 1:33.350, while his Maranello teammate Carlos Sainz finished just behind him.