Max finishes in P4 in the third practice session in Singapore

Published on 21 September 2024 by Kees-Jan Koster

Max Verstappen finished in P4 during the third and final free practice session for the Singapore Grand Prix. On the tight street circuit, Max recorded a time of 1:30.540 on soft compound tyres. The three-time world champion was over eight-tenths of a second slower than the fastest man, Lando Norris, who was the only driver to dip below 1 minute 30 in his McLaren. George Russell finished in P2 for Mercedes, with Oscar Piastri in third for McLaren. 

The third practice session was the last one held in daylight this weekend on the 4.94-kilometre-long street circuit in Singapore. The session started slowly, with only Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll in their Aston Martins heading out on track. The red flag was soon waved after a large lizard was spotted crossing the track, something Verstappen had also encountered in Singapore back in 2016. After a brief pause, the track was cleared with just over 45 minutes left on the clock. 

Most drivers then took to the track, including Max, who set a time of 1:32.044 on medium compound tyres during his first flying lap, which at that moment was good enough for first place. The Dutchman then improved his time to 1:31.630, defending his position. After a six-lap stint, Max returned to the pits. 

As Max went back out on a new set of medium tyres, Charles Leclerc went faster than Verstappen’s time. Max slid over the kerbs on his next flying lap, preventing him from improving his time. After a three-lap run, he returned to the pits again. Meanwhile, drivers on soft compound tyres were going much faster. Max also went out on a set of soft tyres with just under 20 minutes left on the clock. 

On the soft tyres, Max clocked a 1:30.540, putting him in P3. Shortly after, Norris became the first driver to go under 1 minute 30, dropping Verstappen back to P4. In the final stages, Max had a second run on the soft tyres, but again he slid over the kerbs at the exit of Turn 7 and couldn't improve his time, ending the session in P4. Lando Norris finished in P1, followed by George Russell and Oscar Piastri. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finished behind Verstappen in fifth and sixth, respectively, in a session without any major incidents. 

Qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix will begin at 15:00 Dutch time. 

Contest GP Singapore: win a by Max Verstappen signed Red Bull Racing cap!

Results third free practice Singapore: