2024 Formula 1 Preview & Review.

[Fortitude]

High tension in Singapore Norris pips Leclerc to P1 in FP2: Verstappen P15.
Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc look set for an intense duel during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend. After Leclerc topped FP1, Norris reacted by going fastest in FP2.
Today at 15:02
Matt Gretton
GPblog.com

Red Bull Racing anticipates that their upgrades will work well in the next Grand Prix weekend in Austin, but for now, they seem to be off the pace in Singapore again. Sergio Perez recorded the 8th fastest time in the session, and the Dutchman was in P15. Verstappen's full pace wasn't shown, but the RB19 is not yet fully optimised as Verstappen ran over the kerbs, and Perez used the run-off area. Full loads and engine modes remain unknown. Red Bull was not alone with their issues, as Norris also used the run-off zone, and both drivers clipped the wall.

Therefore, Norris and McLaren will want to maximise the weekend. Norris needs to take as many points as possible to cut his 59-point gap to Verstappen in the World Championship. To do that in Singapore, he will have to survive another battle from Ferrari. Yuki Tsunoda had another positive session with a P4 finish. Oscar Piastri rounded out the top five.

‘High tension’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30244...s-session.html


Singapore GP: Free Practice 2 Results
21 Sep 2024
Mat Coch
Speedcafe

Full results from Free Practice 2 from the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix at Marina Bay.

Pos Num Driver Team Laps Best Diff

1 4 Lando Norris McLaren 26 1:30.727

2 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 27 1:30.785 0.058

3 55 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 26 1:31.356 0.629

4 22 Yuki Tsunoda RB 27 1:31.468 0.741

5 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 26 1:31.474 0.747

6 3 Daniel Ricciardo RB 25 1:31.478 0.751

7 63 George Russell Mercedes 25 1:31.488 0.761

8 11 Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing 24 1:31.598 0.871

9 23 Alex Albon Williams 25 1:31.650 0.923

10 27 Nico Hulkenberg Haas 25 1:31.667 0.940

‘Full results from Free Practice 2’;

https://speedcafe.com/singapore-gp-f...ice-2-results/


Norris and Leclerc in Singapore shoot-out as Verstappen flounders
Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc went head-to-head to top FP2 at the Singapore Grand Prix as their two teams continued to dominate under the Marina Bay lights.
20 Sep 2024
Samuel Coop
RacingNews365

Closing stages: Sainz would provide further clarity as to what caused his lock-up, complaining of an issue with the brakes on his Ferrari. The majority of the field would be back on medium or hard tyres as the session approached the final 10 minutes.

The session calmed considerably in the closing stages, with long-run plans the order of the day. However, there was still enough time for some action. Norris went sideways, dirtying his tyres prior to a trip to a side road. The 24-year-old managed to get his McLaren facing the right direction, but compatriot Russell would end the session without a front wing.

The Mercedes driver found the wall with only a couple of minutes to run, meaning the session ended under the yellow flag. He was ultimate able to remove himself from the barriers, returning his damaged W15 back to the pits.

‘Head-to-head to top FP2’;

https://racingnews365.com/norris-lec...ppen-flounders


Norris edges Leclerc in Singapore GP FP2 with Verstappen nowhere near contention
Lando Norris in the McLaren was fighting it out with Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in Singapore
20 Sep 2024
Brandon Sutton
Total Motorsport

Lando Norris was fastest in FP2 at the 2024 Singapore GP ahead of Charles Leclerc by just 0.058, with Max Verstappen a shocking 15th quickest in a poor session for the world champion at the Marina Bay Circuit on September 20.

The world champion found himself stuck well outside of the Top 10, and a worrying half a second behind Sergio Perez as his poor form from the Baku City Circuit seems poised to rage on, with the 26-year-old struggling to get to grips with his underwhelming Red Bull.

‘Verstappen nowhere near contention’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/nor...ar-contention/


Singapore GP: McLaren asked by FIA to change controversial rear wing after rivals question legality
20 Sep 2024
Sky Sports

McLaren have been asked to change their rear wing following questions over its legality from their rivals at the Singapore Grand Prix. An on-board shot from the car of Oscar Piastri, during his victory at last weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, appeared to show a part of McLaren's rear wing flexing upwards on the main straight, and subsequently attracted significant attention on social media.

Only a certain amount of flexing is allowed on bodywork parts of an F1 car and McLaren's rear wing received a query from at least one team, including Red Bull. Sky Sports News understands that the sport's governing body, the FIA, has asked McLaren to change their rear wing from this weekend's race in Singapore, with seven events remaining this season.

‘Rivals question legality’;

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12...stion-legality


Helmut Marko calls for second FIA investigation into McLaren at Singapore Grand Prix
McLaren were dealt a significant blow at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Sep 20, 2024
Harry Smith
Daily and Sunday Express

Helmut Marko has confirmed that Red Bull will turn their attention to McLaren’s front wing after ‘three complaints’ led to the FIA outlawing the current Constructors’ Championship leaders’ rear wing at the Singapore Grand Prix.

In the aftermath of Oscar Piastri’s impressive Azerbaijan Grand Prix victory last weekend, onboard footage circulated around social media showing the rear wing of the MCL38 flexing towards the endplate area. This created a ‘mini-DRS’ effect, allegedly giving McLaren a significant speed advantage.

As a result of the clear evidence, Red Bull lodged a protest and according to an Autosport report, Zak Brown’s outfit have now been instructed by the FIA that they are no longer allowed to run their current rear-wing design.

‘Dealt a significant blow’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ore-Grand-Prix


2024 Singapore GP FP2: Colapinto mistakenly stops his Williams in Alpine pit box
Sep 20, 2024
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Franco Colapinto is on just his third race weekend for Williams, so it’s perhaps understandable he accidentally drove into the Alpine pit box in second practice in Singapore…

‘Williams in Alpine pit box’;

https://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/F1...x/Singapore+GP


F1 - 2024 Singapore Grand Prix - Friday Press Conference Transcript
20.09.24
FIA (Press Release)

TEAM REPRESENTATIVES: James VOWLES (Williams), Frédéric VASSEUR (Ferrari), Mario ISOLA (Pirelli)

Mario ISOLA: Yeah, obviously it was the first test, a bit difficult. Our main job was to try to correlate simulations with mule car. We know that mule cars cannot be representative considering that 2026 cars are completely different, but I believe we did a good job and thanks to Aston Martin, that was the first team running the test, [we got] valuable information and probably also a good starting point as a baseline for future development.

James VOWLES: Yeah, (Franco Colapinto) he's done an absolutely outstanding job. Just really jumped straight into it, two feet first, and has been swimming ever since. But he's doing brilliantly well. And to score points in your second ever Grand Prix, to be a few seconds behind Alex, is extraordinary. And again this morning, brilliant job.

Frédéric VASSEUR: Well, from the beginning, we are not focused on the championship. We are taking it race after race, and I think it's the right approach. James said it before, that the championship is really difficult to read, because it doesn't matter if it's the first group or the second one, it's so tight that you can move from a good weekend, you are doing a 1-2 and the weekend after you are 7-8. Have a look on Mercedes what they did before the break and after the break. And I think this is true for everybody. And I think it makes no sense to imagine how could be the picture in two or three months. We have still something like 400 points on the table, I think, for the team championship. And it's a lot. It means, let's be focused on Baku, on Singapore, and then on the next one and try to do a good job. And we'll see at the end.

‘Friday Press Conference Transcript’;

https://www.fia.com/news/f1-2024-sin...nce-transcript

[Fortitude]

What we learned from Friday practice at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.
If Friday practice is anything to go by, then the Singapore Grand Prix promises to develop into a closely fought weekend between Ferrari and McLaren. Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris were astoundingly close, separated by less than a tenth across two practice sessions.
20 Sep 2024
Jake Boxall-Legge
Motorsport.com

In Singapore, there is only one truly representative session for the GP: the night-time FP2 is the closest of the three practice hours in terms of track conditions and temperature, giving its equivalent timing to the qualifying and race phases of the weekend. Naturally, the teams wanted to use that opportunity to get some running in — and hoped that none of their drivers suffered an ignominious tangle with the barriers.

The likes of Red Bull and Mercedes dealt with two hours of set-up struggles, while RB surprised with its consistent one-lap pace among the top half of the field. As ever, it's shaping up to be an intriguing weekend at Marina Bay.

‘What we learned’;

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/w...prix/10656330/


Two-horse race as Red Bull struggles; McLaren loses trick part after protest: F1 talking points
Sep 21st, 2024
Michael Lamonato
Fox Sports (Australia)

The Singapore Grand Prix has looked like a two-horse race from the very first moments of practice. Charles Leclerc topped first practice ahead of Lando Norris by 0.076 seconds. Norris reversed the order in FP2 to lead Leclerc by 0.058 seconds. But it was what happened to the rest of the field in FP2 that was most notable. George Russell was the fastest Mercedes at 0.761 seconds adrift, while Sergio Pérez again led the way for Red Bull Racing 0.871s down. No-one was within half a second of the leading two.

Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri will surely close the gap to their teammates on Friday. Sainz suffered a brake imbalance all day, the absence of which would surely move him up. Piastri admitted he was simply uncomfortable in the car, but the Australian has a reputation for making massive steps forward between Friday and Saturday.

‘Two-horse race’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...97a6f219c87336


Gary Anderson: McLaren's flexible rear wing is misguided
Sep 20, 2024
Gary Anderson
The Race

Although the FIA said McLaren's rear wing is legal, that didn't stop rival Formula 1 teams from complaining about it. These complaints seem to have propelled the FIA into demanding - or McLaren offering, depending who you listen to - adjustments be made to better control the flexibility in future.

‘Misguided’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/g...ble-rear-wing/


Ferrari remain cautious after strong run of form as 'good sequence' can end
20 Sep 2024
Kada Sarkozi
GPblog.com

Even as Ferrari were able to gather some momentum over the past couple of weekends, Frederic Vasseur prefered to remain cautious in Singapore. "We are in a good sequence, but again, it was like this for everybody from the beginning of the season, that if you remember the first four races that Red Bull was flying, then we had a good sequence."

"Then it was Mercedes, then McLaren, then we are really in a pack and I don't remember when it was so tight in F1 with four teams able to win, eight drivers able to win. And you really never know when you are going somewhere, if you will fight for P1, P2, or P7, P8," the team principal continued.

‘Cautious’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30253...aps-in-f1.html


Leclerc warns Ferrari ‘cannot rely on a good Friday’ with ‘work to be done’ despite strong start in Singapore
20 Sep 2024
Formula One - Official Site

Charles Leclerc believes that Ferrari still have work to do... “It felt good, but there is still some work to be done,” the 26-year-old explained. “The car didn’t exactly feel like I wanted so, yeah, we still have to try and improve it. And of course with the forecast for the rest of the weekend, it’s a little bit up and down so we will have to adapt very quickly, so we cannot rely on a good Friday."

"But it’s been a good Friday and it’s better to have a good one than a bad one. It’s a good starting point, but we still have to push forward.” In terms of what he would like to work on, Leclerc said: “Just a bit more balance in the car, putting everything together in terms of driving and then we should be in a good place for tomorrow.”

‘Work to be done’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...tSW9s30xgbwZYY


Do long runs offer hope for Verstappen and Mercedes in Singapore?
20 Sep 2024
Cas van de Kleut
GPblog.com

While McLaren and Ferrari had a rather positive Friday in Singapore, Red Bull Racing and Mercedes were struggling more in the Asian country, as the time sheets show over a single lap. Is there any hope for these two teams based on their long runs, or do they have to hope for a radical change come Saturday?

Red Bull to rely on long runs? Verstappen completed his long run on the hards in Singapore. He started with a 1:37.215, and his average lap time was a 1:37.868 over six laps, but it is clearly unknown how much his RB20 fuelled up.

Similarly to the Dutchman, Sergio Perez also did his race simulation on the hardest tyre compound, however, he had slower place than his teammate. The Mexican's fastest lap was 1:38.408, and his average lap time was a 1:39.441.

‘Do long runs offer hope?’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30252...erstappen.html


‘Nothing seems to work’ – Hamilton predicts he ‘won’t be going into Q3’ after ‘difficult’ Singapore practice
20 Sep 2024
Formula One - Official Site

Hamilton summarised the day as “very difficult” after he was outpaced by teams expected to be in the midfield, such as RB, Haas and Williams to finish in P12 and P11 across FP1 and FP2. “We’ve tried everything set-up wise and nothing seems to work with the set-up, so definitely very challenging,” he said. “We’re really giving it everything and then you find out you’re a second off.”

“I think ultimately [we’re] just a little bit lost and we’re not really sure where to put the car. At the moment, I won’t be going into Q3.” Russell has generally appeared more confident than his 39-year-old team mate with qualifying in the W15, beating his team mate 13 times on Saturdays this season, but he had a disappointing end to his second practice session in Singapore.

‘Nothing seems to work’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...lJahu7m5lOuB0t


Perez demands 'big change' after Red Bull 'surprise'
Sergio Perez completed the opening day of the Singapore Grand Prix one-second off the leading pace.
20 Sep 2024
Nick Golding
RacingNews365

Despite its poor recent history at the Marina Bay Circuit and expectations having not been high ahead of this weekend, the team has been caught by surprise at just how far off the pace the RB20 is. "No, I think it took us a surprise," revealed Perez. "And yeah, definitely, we got some work to do overnight, because we are very far."

Red Bull – not for the first time in recent races – now has a long night ahead to try and find a temporary solution to its problems. Perez pointed out after second practice that a very significant change is required for Red Bull to move closer to the front. "We are nearly a second off the pace, so we need quite a big change to be able to come through," assessed Perez. "And yeah, we see what we are able to do."

‘Got some work to do overnight’;

https://racingnews365.com/perez-dema...-bull-surprise


Marko shows signs of frustration with Red Bull's car: 'Nothing works!'
20 Sep 2024
Matt Gretton
GPblog.com

According to Marko, the team needs to come up with drastic adjustments to improve things before qualifying. "At the moment I would say it is very worrying." The Austrian is negatively surprised with the performance of the cars. Marko made a brutual observation. "I just looked and our pace was the same as Colapinto..."

'Nothing works!';

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/30248...singapore.html


‘Difficult’ – Verstappen’s verdict on Red Bull’s first day in Singapore
20 Sep 2024
Formula One - Official Site (Video)

Max Verstappen was fourth quickest in FP1 but only P15 in second practice as Red Bull struggle to get to grips with the Singapore circuit.

‘Difficult’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/di...26954168364431