The Free Practice Singapore GP weekend reached a new high tonight as teams took to the track in FP3 under the Marina Bay floodlights. The final practice session offered telltale signs of who might be pushing hardest into qualifying.
Let’s dive into what FP3 revealed, how the drivers fared, what surprises we saw, and what to expect next.
FP3 Results: Verstappen Reclaims Top Spot
In FP3 for the Singapore GP, Max Verstappen surged to the top of the timesheet with a lap of 1:30.148, edging McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by just 0.017 seconds. His late-session push showed that Red Bull is still very much in the mix as the weekend intensifies.
George Russell impressed with a rebound run to third fastest (1:30.197), while his teammate Kimi Antonelli slotted into fourth at 1:30.237. The session wasn’t without drama. A red flag was triggered when Liam Lawson lost control at Turn 7, slamming into the barrier and requiring marshals to clear the wreck before action resumed. Reuters
Lando Norris, last year’s pole sitter, placed fifth, followed by Carlos Sainz and Isack Hadjar in sixth and seventh respectively. Lewis Hamilton managed eighth, though he now faces possible scrutiny from stewards for a red-flag transgression earlier in the session.
This FP3 result reinforces just how tight the grid could be come qualifying, mere hundredths separating front runners.
Key Takeaways from Singapore GP FP3 2025
1. Red Bull’s pace is no fluke
Verstappen’s top performance in FP3 adds weight to the belief that Red Bull have strong late-session pace and may be playing a more subtle setup game through earlier practices.
2. McLaren remains dangerous
Piastri’s near-top time yet again shows McLaren may have one of the strongest packages this weekend. Norris in P5 confirms they have depth too.
3. Recovery from misfortune
George Russell’s third place is all the more impressive given his crash earlier in the weekend. It suggests Mercedes have repaired damage and recalibrated effectively.
4. Risks remain high
Lawson’s crash underlines how unforgiving Marina Bay can be. A small mistake under braking or on a kerb often ends in contact. Teams will need to weigh aggression versus risk in qualifying.
5. Strategy and usage matter
With track evolution, tyre selection, fuel loads, and timing factors, performance in FP3 may not directly translate to qualifying pace. But they do offer clues.
What to Watch in Qualifying
With Free Practice Singapore GP now complete, all eyes shift to the qualifying session later tonight. Here’s what fans should look out for:
- Track conditions: The circuit will continue evolving and grip levels may improve, so timing of the qualifying runs will matter.
- Tyre choices: Soft compounds may deliver lap time gains, but they wear fast. Teams will have to balance pace and tyre life.
- Traffic and clean laps: Finding a clear track at slow corners is vital, a red flag or slow car ahead can ruin a banker lap.
- Driver composure: After crashes in practice, some may be more cautious; those who push perfectly will likely lead the front.
Final Thoughts
FP3 at the Singapore GP delivered exactly what fans crave, a subtle shift in momentum, a few surprises, close margins, and hints of strategy battles to come.
Verstappen’s performance reminds us he remains a formidable presence. Piastri and Norris show McLaren’s consistency. And the others lurking just behind, Russell, Hamilton, Sainz, all have the tools to strike.
As we approach qualifying, every small detail matters. This night race in Singapore always has room for drama, and tonight’s Free Practice Singapore GP was no exception.