F1 | FP3 | Singapore GP | Verstappen tops the last practice session as the pack remains tight - Motorsport

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After two chaotic free practice sessions on Friday, the F1 drivers were ready to get back on track for the last practice session of the weekend. As both Liam Lawson and George Russell found the barriers in FP2, and Alex Albon’s breaks were on fire in FP1, the last session of the weekend would be crucial for them.

With Fernando Alonso topping FP1 and Oscar Piastri taking the top spot in FP2, FP3 was bound to be unpredictable.

Green lights at the end of the pit lane

The third practice session around the challenging Singapore circuit had most drivers opting for the medium tires. With Qualifying taking place in a few hours, the soft tires were likely to be put on later in the session. Drivers wanting to get in qualifying simulations to get a feel of the conditions to prepare.

Ollie Bearman was the first driver out of the pit lane leading the field onto the track. In the first ten minutes, Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon were the only drivers on soft tires. Sainz grabbing the top spot with a 1:31.960, followed by Albon three tenths behind. The Spanish driver had a little moment with former teammate, Lando Norris, blocking him and Sainz having to avoid driving into the back of him.

While on a flying lap on the medium tires, Lando Norris was quick to knock Sainz out of the top spot. 0.939 s faster, the Briton stormed across the line with a 1:31.021.

Red flags waving

The first crash of the day came with 45 minutes to go. Liam Lawson found the barriers for the second time this weekend, bringing out the red flag. Lawson straddled the exit kerb in Turn 7, heavily damaging the right hand side of the car. With low grip and high speed going into the turn, the Kiwi suffered the consequences of the unforgiving Marina Bay track.

After a quick clean up of the Racing Bulls car and the debris, the F1 drivers were ready to head out for the last 35 minutes of practice.

Halfway to go

Halfway through the session, more drivers opted for the soft tire compound, preparing for qualifying simulations. The pack was split between the C4 and C5 tires. Soon, the yellow flags were out again. However, this time it was Sainz who locked up and was forced into the run off area. With a quick fix, the Spaniard turned around and got going again. Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar tested the limits of the tough track, brushing the wall without error.

The order stayed the same with Norris, Albon, and Sainz in the top three before Kimi Antonelli grabbed the top with a 1:30.760.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton was noted by race control for a red flag infringement. With his earlier grid penalty this season, Hamilton would hope to avoid repeating a similar penalty.

Albon went into the run off area in Turn 16 while Franco Colapinto was driving on the edge as he brushed the wall.

Last flying laps

As the last practice session of the weekend came to a close, the drivers got their final quali simulation laps in.

With FP3 being less chaotic than the prior sessions at the Singapore GP, most drivers got a good feel of the demanding track. Charles Leclerc was the man on top with 13 minutes to go. The Ferrari driver got his qualifying simulations started with the first lap of 1:30.651. Rookie, Isack Hadjar, was quick to follow only 0.028 seconds behind. Lando Norris knocked the Ferrari out of the top spot with a 1:30.292 before Max Verstappen went purple in the second and third sector. The Red Bull driver cinched the top spot from Norris. With the top three continuously changing, the last minutes of the session were tight.

While the Aston Martins looked to have the pace in earlier practice sessions, FP3 was more challenging for the team. Both Aston Martin drivers struggling at the back end of the order proved the promise of quick pace was premature. Meanwhile, Pierre Gasly and Nico Hulkenberg were scrambling as the Sauber found himself in the way of the Frenchman.

A little moment took place in the last two minutes of the session with the two Alpines scuffling with Verstappen in Turn -. Verstappen attempted to driver past Colapinto, who wanted to get out of the way for his teammate Gasly. What could have ended with Verstappen in the wall, took a positive turn as the drivers were able to get away without consequences.

The last practice session of the Singapore GP ended with Max Verstappen on top. Followed closely by Oscar Piastri, 0.017 seconds behind, and George Russell in third. The pecking order could be unpredictable in Qualifying, as the field were highly packed in practice.

F1 Singapore GP FP3 Results: