F1: Charles Leclerc Tops FP1 for Singapore GP

Leclerc Edges Out Verstappen and Hamilton in Wet-Dry Session

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc set the pace in a rain-affected first practice session for the Singapore Grand Prix, edging out Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.

The session began on a wet track, with Leclerc immediately setting the benchmark. As the track dried out, Verstappen and Hamilton gradually closed the gap, but Leclerc held on for the top spot.

Verstappen finished just 0.085 seconds behind Leclerc, with Hamilton a further 0.120 seconds adrift. Sergio Perez was fourth for Red Bull, ahead of Fernando Alonso's Alpine and Lando Norris' McLaren.

The session was interrupted by a brief red flag period after Carlos Sainz crashed his Ferrari at Turn 10. Sainz was able to walk away from the incident, but his car sustained significant damage.

The second practice session is scheduled for later this afternoon, with qualifying taking place tomorrow.

Leclerc's Dominant Display

Leclerc's performance in FP1 was a continuation of his strong form in recent races. The Monegasque driver has won two of the last three races and is now just 32 points behind Verstappen in the championship standings.

Leclerc's pace in the wet conditions was particularly impressive. He was able to set the fastest time by over a second, demonstrating his skill in difficult conditions.

Leclerc will be hoping to continue his good form in FP2 and qualifying. He will be confident of securing a strong starting position for Sunday's race.

Verstappen and Hamilton Close the Gap

Verstappen and Hamilton were both able to close the gap to Leclerc on the drying track. Verstappen was particularly impressive, setting the second-fastest time despite struggling in the wet conditions.

Hamilton was also strong in the dry, setting the third-fastest time. The seven-time world champion will be hoping to make a strong challenge for victory on Sunday.

Verstappen and Hamilton will be the main challengers to Leclerc in FP2 and qualifying. They will be hoping to secure a strong starting position for Sunday's race.

Sainz's Crash

Sainz's crash in FP1 was a setback for the Ferrari driver. He was forced to miss the rest of the session and his car sustained significant damage.

Sainz will be hoping to recover from the crash in FP2. He will be determined to secure a good starting position for Sunday's race.

Sainz's crash was a reminder of the dangers of the Singapore Grand Prix. The street circuit is notoriously difficult to drive and there have been several serious accidents in the past.

The drivers will be hoping for a safe and incident-free race on Sunday.