Oscar Piastri topped the timesheets during Free Practice 2 at the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix. The session was marked by disruptions, including two red flags and an unusual pit lane incident involving Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris. The second practice gave teams a chance to test car setups under track conditions more similar to what can be expected in qualifying and the race.
Fernando Alonso had led FP1 earlier in the day, but Piastri’s McLaren eventually set the fastest lap of 1m 30.714s. Track temperatures had cooled slightly since FP1, and floodlights illuminated the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Drivers used the session to explore tire performance, try race simulations, and test vehicle handling under Singapore’s tight, technical layout. Several incidents caused brief stoppages, impacting running time for some teams.
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Incidents that defined the session
The session began with Nico Hulkenberg leading the initial track activity. Rookie drivers explored the limits, with Gabriel Bortoleto running wide and Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli having a minor off. Lando Norris set an early pace of 1m 31.716s on medium tires.
George Russell later brought out a red flag after breaking his front nose on the barriers at Turn 16. His incident required debris removal, causing a pause in the session. Liam Lawson also crashed at Turn 17, leaving his car at the pit entry. These interruptions forced teams to adjust their plans, compressing the time available for setup work and tire testing.
“That” pit lane contact and repurcussions
FP2 also saw an unusual pit lane incident. Charles Leclerc exited the pits alongside Lando Norris, resulting in contact with Norris’ McLaren against the pit wall. Norris required a front wing replacement, and Ferrari was fined €10,000 for an unsafe release (not entirely fair for McLaren in my opinion).
Such incidents highlight the challenges of operating in Singapore’s narrow pit lane and tight street circuit layout. Teams had to manage vehicle movement carefully, balancing speed and safety during tire changes and practice runs. Despite the interruptions, most drivers returned to track for the final segment of FP2.
Overall Performance outlook
In the closing stages, drivers switched to soft tires for fast laps. Oscar Piastri claimed the top spot, followed closely by Isack Hadjar (+0.132s) and Max Verstappen (+0.143s). Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris completed the top five.
Other notable performances included Esteban Ocon, who briefly led with medium tires, and rookie drivers gaining track experience. Teams focused on qualifying simulations, tire degradation testing, and setup adjustments for the race. FP2 results provided a snapshot of potential performance but did not necessarily reflect final race pace.
