Russell tops FP1 at Singapore Grand Prix as Leclerc trails

Mercedes driver George Russell recorded the quickest time of 1:32.274 in the opening practice session at the Singapore Grand Prix on the Marina Bay circuit, edging Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by 0.198 seconds. Lando Norris of McLaren finished third, 0.273 seconds behind Russell, while Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton placed fourth. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and Max Verstappen (Red Bull) completed the top five and six respectively. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was seventh for Mercedes, followed by Red Bull's Isack Hadjar in eighth. Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson rounded out the top ten.

The Singapore event hosts the season's final sprint race, with sprint qualifying scheduled for Friday and the sprint itself on Saturday ahead of Sunday's main Grand Prix qualifying.