There are few places in Formula 1 where the ghosts of the past and the glare of the present collide quite so spectacularly as they do under the sodium lights of Marina Bay. Singapore’s Free Practice 3 is always a session of nerves, sweat, and—if you’re lucky—revelation. This year, on the morning of October 4th, 2025, the script was torn up, rewritten, and then set on fire. If you thought you’d seen everything in Formula 1, FP3 in Singapore just reminded you: the sport still has a few tricks up its sleeve.
- The Calm Before the Storm: Setting the Scene
- FP3: The Numbers, the Names, the Nerves
- The Usual Suspects—and the Unusual Ones
- Chaos in the Shadows: Incidents and Intrigue
- The History Boys: Why Singapore Loves a Surprise
- The Rookie Revolution: Hadjar’s Coming of Age
- The Big Four: Trends, Reversals, and the Battle for Supremacy
- The Human Element: Pressure, Perfection, and Pitfalls
- Statistical Curiosities: When Numbers Tell the Story
- What Next? Qualifying Awaits
- Waste a bit more time
The Calm Before the Storm: Setting the Scene
Singapore’s FP3 is a peculiar beast. It’s the last chance for teams to get their eye in before qualifying, but it’s also a session where the track is still evolving, the humidity is rising, and the pressure is quietly suffocating. The Marina Bay circuit, with its 19 corners and four DRS zones, is a place where confidence is currency and mistakes are expensive.
Coming into this weekend, the championship narrative was already simmering. Oscar Piastri, the McLaren prodigy, led the standings with 324 points, chased by his teammate Lando Norris and the ever-present Max Verstappen. But as Friday’s sessions showed, the form book was about as useful as a chocolate teapot. Alonso led FP1, McLaren topped FP2, and Isack Hadjar—yes, you read that right—was second fastest in FP2, ahead of Verstappen and Alonso. If you were expecting a predictable Saturday, you clearly haven’t been paying attention.
FP3: The Numbers, the Names, the Nerves
Let’s get straight to the meat of it. The final practice session before qualifying is where the sandbags are (usually) lifted, and the true pecking order emerges. But in Singapore, the only thing you can predict is unpredictability.
The Usual Suspects—and the Unusual Ones
Oscar Piastri’s name at the top of the timesheets is becoming as familiar as humidity in Singapore. But this was no ordinary session. The Australian, still shaking off the ghosts of his Azerbaijan disaster, looked as serene as a monk in a monastery. His lap—1:31.002—was a statement, not just to his rivals, but to himself. As he put it:
I think I found my feet on the medium at the end there and the soft felt good. Obviously not much representative race running, but the car’s been in a good place. I feel like I’ve learnt a lot through today, and that’s the aim of practice, so it’s been a good day.
Oscar Piastri
But the real story was the men who followed. Max Verstappen, the man who has never won in Singapore, was just 0.043 seconds adrift. The Dutchman’s RB21 looked planted, and for once, Verstappen seemed almost… optimistic.
The car was not too bad—a bit like the last two weekends where there were no major problems. In general I’m quite satisfied, but definitely need a bit more pace to fight up at the front tomorrow.
Max Verstappen
And then, the shock: Isack Hadjar, the Racing Bulls rookie, in third. If you’re not familiar with Hadjar, you’re not alone. But after this session, you’ll remember the name. The French-Algerian’s lap was no fluke—he was quick in FP2, and he backed it up in FP3. In a session where experience usually trumps youth, Hadjar’s performance was a reminder that sometimes, the bravest are the least burdened by history.
Chaos in the Shadows: Incidents and Intrigue
It wouldn’t be Singapore without a bit of drama. Charles Leclerc, still nursing the wounds of a pit lane near-miss with Lando Norris in FP2, found himself in the wars again. Released too early by Ferrari, he narrowly avoided a collision—an incident that will no doubt be replayed in every team briefing from here to Maranello.
Meanwhile, Mercedes continued their impression of a team in existential crisis. George Russell, who hit the wall in FP2, left the Silver Arrows languishing in the nether regions of the timesheets. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the much-hyped rookie, could only manage tenth. Toto Wolff’s face was reportedly last seen somewhere between thundercloud and migraine.
The History Boys: Why Singapore Loves a Surprise
If you think this year’s FP3 was wild, let’s take a stroll down memory lane. Singapore has always been a place for the unexpected. In 2008, Nico Rosberg’s Williams and Fernando Alonso’s Renault were the surprise packages. In 2015, Mercedes—usually bulletproof—were inexplicably off the pace, with Ferrari and Red Bull running riot. And who could forget 2018, when Kevin Magnussen and Haas set the fastest lap in the race, a statistical anomaly that still makes engineers wake up in a cold sweat?
The street circuit’s evolving grip, the ever-present threat of rain, and the sheer physicality of the track mean that Singapore is a place where the form book is more of a suggestion than a rule. As history shows, midfield teams and rookies can—and do—make headlines here.
The Rookie Revolution: Hadjar’s Coming of Age
Let’s talk about Isack Hadjar. In a sport obsessed with pedigree, Hadjar’s rise has been refreshingly unorthodox. The Racing Bulls outfit, usually more accustomed to the midfield, found themselves in the rarefied air of the top three. Hadjar’s lap was not just quick—it was composed, aggressive, and utterly fearless.
This isn’t the first time a rookie has made waves in Singapore. The circuit’s unique demands often reward those who drive with their hearts as much as their heads. But Hadjar’s performance was a reminder that, in Formula 1, the next big thing is always just around the corner.
The Big Four: Trends, Reversals, and the Battle for Supremacy
Historically, Singapore’s FP3 has been a bellwether for the weekend. Red Bull’s early dominance (2009–2013), Ferrari’s mixed fortunes, Mercedes’ slow start and eventual resurgence, and McLaren’s recent renaissance—all have played out under the lights of Marina Bay.
- Red Bull: Once the kings of Singapore, their high-downforce cars were tailor-made for the circuit. But in recent years, they’ve had to fight harder for every inch.
- Ferrari: The Scuderia’s FP3 pace has often flattered to deceive, with strong practice times not always translating to race day glory.
- Mercedes: After a disastrous 2015, the Silver Arrows found their feet, but Singapore remains a circuit that exposes their weaknesses.
- McLaren: From the doldrums of the mid-2010s to their current resurgence, McLaren’s journey has been one of patience, investment, and—finally—reward.
The Human Element: Pressure, Perfection, and Pitfalls
Street circuits are confidence venues. The walls are close, the margin for error is microscopic, and the consequences are immediate. For drivers, FP3 in Singapore is a test of nerve as much as skill. As Lando Norris put it after a difficult session:
Just a difficult day for me. I’m not feeling too great with the car—missing all of the feelings that I had here last year. Oscar’s quick, so I’ve got nothing to complaining about bar just not doing a very good job. Plenty of things to work on. Just a bad day.
Lando Norris
It’s a reminder that, in Formula 1, the line between hero and also-ran is razor-thin.
Statistical Curiosities: When Numbers Tell the Story
Let’s indulge in a bit of number crunching, shall we? Since 2008, Singapore’s FP3 has produced more than its fair share of surprises:
- Midfield teams topping FP3: Williams (2008), Lotus (2013), Toro Rosso (2015), Haas (2018).
- Rookies in the top five: Piastri (2023), Hadjar (2025).
- Mercedes’ 2015 meltdown: A rare blip in an era of dominance.
- Weather-induced chaos: Rain and red flags have often scrambled the order, with opportunists seizing the moment.
If you’re a fan of the unexpected, Singapore is your spiritual home.
What Next? Qualifying Awaits
As the dust settles on FP3, the paddock is abuzz with speculation. Can Piastri convert his practice pace into pole? Will Verstappen finally break his Singapore duck? Is Hadjar about to pull off the shock of the season? And can Ferrari avoid tripping over their own shoelaces in the pit lane?
One thing is certain: if FP3 is any indication, qualifying is going to be a bloodbath. And in Singapore, under the lights, anything can happen.
Waste a bit more time
If you’re hungry for more drama, analysis, and the occasional pit lane calamity, here are some links to keep you entertained:
- 2025 F1 Singapore Grand Prix: Full Saturday Schedule
- Three-car fight tipped after Piastri tops tight practice
- Alonso leads Leclerc and Verstappen during first practice …
And if you want to relive the chaos, check out the official F1 YouTube channel for highlights and analysis.
