Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, Singapore, 2018

Vettel and Ferrari fastest in final Singapore practice

2018 Singapore Grand Prix third practice

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Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen set the pace for Ferrari in the final practice session ahead of qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix.

Vettel’s fastest time of a 1’38.054 was enough to top the timesheets, three tenths of a second faster than team mate Raikkonen and half a second quicker than championship rival Lewis Hamilton.

Conditions were once again clear as drivers prepared for qualifying around the Marina Bay street circuit.

There was a near-miss in the pitlane when Esteban Ocon was released from his garage into the path of Kevin Magnussen’s Haas, who avoided a collision.

Max Verstappen’s power unit frustrations continued from Friday, with the Red Bull driver complaining about the performance of his Renault engine before being held up by Marcus Ericsson’s Sauber on his final flying lap.

Many drivers were heard complaining of traffic over team radio as they attempted qualifying simulation runs in the closing minutes of the session.

Mercedes were unable to top Ferrari on their final runs of the session, leaving Vettel and Raikkonen fastest and looking like favourites to challenge for pole position in this evening’s qualifying.

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Pos.No.DriverCarBest lapGapLaps
15Sebastian VettelFerrari1’38.054
27Kimi RaikkonenFerrari1’38.4160.362
344Lewis HamiltonMercedes1’38.5580.504
477Valtteri BottasMercedes1’38.6030.549
53Daniel RicciardoRed Bull-TAG Heuer1’39.1861.132
633Max VerstappenRed Bull-TAG Heuer1’39.2651.211
78Romain GrosjeanHaas-Ferrari1’39.7471.693
831Esteban OconForce India-Mercedes1’40.0732.019
911Sergio PerezForce India-Mercedes1’40.2312.177
1014Fernando AlonsoMcLaren-Renault1’40.2542.200
1127Nico HulkenbergRenault1’40.4502.396
1220Kevin MagnussenHaas-Ferrari1’40.5592.505
1355Carlos Sainz JnrRenault1’40.5902.536
1410Pierre GaslyToro Rosso-Honda1’40.6862.632
152Stoffel VandoorneMcLaren-Renault1’40.7982.744
1616Charles LeclercSauber-Ferrari1’40.9152.861
1728Brendon HartleyToro Rosso-Honda1’41.5623.508
1835Sergey SirotkinWilliams-Mercedes1’41.8843.830
199Marcus EricssonSauber-Ferrari1’41.9533.899
2018Lance StrollWilliams-Mercedes1’42.2204.166

Third practice visual gaps

Sebastian Vettel – 1’38.054

+0.362 Kimi Raikkonen – 1’38.416

+0.504 Lewis Hamilton – 1’38.558

+0.549 Valtteri Bottas – 1’38.603

+1.132 Daniel Ricciardo – 1’39.186

+1.211 Max Verstappen – 1’39.265

+1.693 Romain Grosjean – 1’39.747

+2.019 Esteban Ocon – 1’40.073

+2.177 Sergio Perez – 1’40.231

+2.200 Fernando Alonso – 1’40.254

+2.396 Nico Hulkenberg – 1’40.450

+2.505 Kevin Magnussen – 1’40.559

+2.536 Carlos Sainz Jnr – 1’40.590

+2.632 Pierre Gasly – 1’40.686

+2.744 Stoffel Vandoorne – 1’40.798

+2.861 Charles Leclerc – 1’40.915

+3.508 Brendon Hartley – 1’41.562

+3.830 Sergey Sirotkin – 1’41.884

+3.899 Marcus Ericsson – 1’41.953

+4.166 Lance Stroll – 1’42.220

Drivers more then ten seconds off the pace omitted.

2018 Singapore Grand Prix

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Author information

Will Wood
Will has been a RaceFans contributor since 2012 during which time he has covered F1 test sessions, launch events and interviewed drivers. He mainly...

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31 comments on “Vettel and Ferrari fastest in final Singapore practice”

  1. Max is really fed up with Renault. The stories about engines coming to GP weekends simply not put together properly by Renault are really ridiculous to hear. This weekend RIC’s power unit wasn’t out together properly. There was a part coming by plane Thursday to Friday night they forgot to put in.

    How is this even possible for a professional F1 engine manufacturer

    1. It’s Renault, those are not mistakes

    2. Maybe redbull should have treated Renault with a little more respect after winning 4(x2) straight titles.

      1. @johnnik are you honestly saying that a professional engine manufacturer, who is demanding tens of millions of pounds per year for their engine supply, is right in making shoddy products because the client has disparaged them in the media? Crikey.

        1. +1 Plus it`s telling future clients to expect the same treatment – receive poor product, complain publicly after nothing improves, receive even worse product.

        2. @hahostolze
          No I didn’t say that. Please read more carefully.

          1. If you’re not saying that, what is your point with your remark?

            I say Renault is doing a bad job putting their engines together and you reply redbull should’ve been more respectful

          2. @johnnik pretty sure it’s not my reading that’s the issue here

          3. My point was made Patrick, there is no need to reiterate it.

            What is the issue here hahostolze?

        3. Well they did mess with Torro Rosso by not having ‘enough parts’, didn’t they?

  2. Force India are being investigated for the unsafe release of Ocon.
    The unsafe release being releasing him from his seat in favour of Stroll.

    1. Hahahahahahah good one!!

      1. It’s always unsafe to have an angry Wolff around.

  3. Red Bull not looking good. Hopefully they can get it together for qualifying.

  4. Nearly 1.5 seconds faster than last season’s pole time already, so we’re probably in for quite a significant improvement on the ultimate pace achieved twelve months ago come qualifying.

  5. The Ferrari looked incredible around this circuit. The car was completely hooked up. No slipping or sliding and really quick to get on the gas. I can’t see Mercedes getting any closer than 0.5 to 0.6s within the pole position time. Can’t see the Red Bulls doing much either.. maybe split the Mercedes drivers at the maximum.

    This will be the easiest front row lockout Ferrari has had in over a decade.

    1. I See Ferrari taking it easily especially Seb. I reckon the Mercs and the RBs will fight for the second row.

    2. @todfod how many rain dances have you done?

      1. @johnmilk

        None so far.

        Maybe today would be a great day to start

        1. Let me know if you need any help

    3. That’s way too pessimistic. I’d say that when push comes to shove Mercedes, especially Hamilton, will be no more than 3 tenths behind pole, and I actually see him splitting the Ferraris.

      1. See @todfod? What was all that pessimism for? The balance just shifted completely towards Mercedes.

        1. @toiago

          Still in a state of shock.

  6. And McLaren never closer than 2.7 seconds behind, in all FP sessions. I got no words.

    1. @spoutnik

      Hate to admit it.. But the Mclaren Honda looked more promising at this point last year.

      1. I’m going to put this comment on a frame

    2. @spoutnik: Looks like you got that wrong. Alonso was “only” 1.8 behind in FP2 and 2.2 in FP3. Not that it makes any difference, of course.

      1. @alonshow my bad, misreadthe tables, thanks for pointing this out!

  7. Am I wrong if I say the RBR doesn’t look like the best chassis (anymore), probably not 2nd best chassis either?!

    1. Yep. You are wrong. Red Bull have top notch chassis, maybe not the best aero package but mechanical grip is the best :)

  8. @willwood: Lap times, please!

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