Charles Leclerc e Lando Norris – Foto: X.com/ F1
Charles Leclerc, from Ferrari, collided with the rear of Lando Norris’ McLaren in the pits during the second free practice session of the Singapore GP on Friday (3) at the Marina Bay Circuit. The incident occurred 12 minutes from the session’s end when Leclerc was released at high speed by his team, hitting Norris’ car, which was moving along the pit lane. Norris struck the wall, damaging his front wing, requiring a quick nose replacement to return to the track. The International Automobile Federation (FIA) is investigating the case for unsafe pit release.
The session had already been halted twice by red flags, limiting teams’ track time.
- Key session incidents: Liam Lawson’s crash at Turn 17, losing his front right tire and stopping at the pit lane entry; George Russell’s collision at Turn 16, damaging his Mercedes.
- Total red flag time: about 20 minutes, reducing usable laps for race setups.
Oscar Piastri, Norris’ McLaren teammate, led the session with a time of 1:30.714, followed by Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls and Max Verstappen of Red Bull.
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 3, 2025
Details of the pit lane collision
Leclerc’s release came right after the session resumed, with several cars lined up in the pit lane. Norris had left McLaren’s garage moments earlier and was moving slowly when Ferrari cleared Leclerc. The impact sent the McLaren into the concrete wall, breaking its front aerodynamic component.
McLaren mechanics acted swiftly, replacing the part in under five minutes. Norris returned to the track in the final minutes but couldn’t set a competitive lap, finishing fifth overall.
Practice times and standings
The 60-minute session saw only 18 laps completed by most drivers due to interruptions. Piastri set the fastest time on soft tires, showcasing McLaren’s pace in night conditions. Hadjar impressed with second place, 0.132 seconds behind, in his strongest showing on the street circuit.
Verstappen took third with 1:30.857, focusing on qualifying simulations. Alonso, from Aston Martin, came in fourth, while Leclerc finished ninth, one spot ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
- Top 5 times:
- 1st: Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:30.714
- 2nd: Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 1:30.846
- 3rd: Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:30.857
- 4th: Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 1:31.000 (approx.)
- 5th: Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:31.200 (approx., no final lap).
Gabriel Bortoleto, from Sauber, finished 15th, struggling with low-traction corners.
The first practice, held earlier, was led by Alonso with 1:31.117, ahead of Leclerc and Verstappen, setting the stage for night adjustments.
Consequences for Leclerc and Norris
Leclerc and a Ferrari representative were summoned by FIA stewards post-session to explain the release. FIA guidelines allow fines or warnings for unsafe releases in practice, with no time penalties. Norris reported car balance issues throughout the day, partly due to the incident.
McLaren estimates additional costs for the damaged part but confirms the car is ready for the third practice on Saturday (4) at 6:30 AM (Brasília time).
Marina Bay’s incident history
The Marina Bay Circuit has a high crash rate since 2008, with close barriers and night lighting challenging visibility. In 2024, Norris won the race dominantly, but retirements like Verstappen’s highlighted the risks.
The 2025 edition, the 18th championship round, tests new safety measures, including an 80 km/h pit lane speed limit and cooling vests for drivers in high humidity.
Bortoleto, in his debut season, adapts to the 4.94 km track, where Brazilian Felipe Massa took pole in 2008 for Ferrari.
Preparation for qualifying
Teams prioritize tire and aerodynamic data after the disrupted session, focusing on medium and soft compounds for qualifying. McLaren aims to maintain its Constructors’ Championship lead, with Piastri topping the Drivers’ standings at 324 points.
Verstappen, third overall with 255 points, tests Red Bull upgrades to close the gap. Norris, with 299 points, faces pressure after an uneven day.
Qualifying is set for Saturday (4) at 10 AM (Brasília time), determining the grid for Sunday’s race at 9 AM.
