Singapore Grand Prix, 3rd practice: Carlos Sainz confirms Ferrari is the front-runner, Max Verstappen attacks Red Bull

Carlos Sainz completed Ferrari’s sweep of the Singapore Grand Prix practice sessions by beating George Russell for fastest practice three times; Max Verstappen is vocal on team radio about Red Bull’s problems; Watch qualifying live on Sky Sports F1 at 2pm

Carlos Sainz confirmed Ferrari as the favorite for pole position by topping the third practice session at the Singapore Grand Prix, while Max Verstappen remained adrift and described issues with his Red Bull as “unacceptable”.

Ferrari topped all three practices at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, while Sainz continued his pace on Friday with a time of 1:32.065 on the soft tyres.

It was enough to beat George Russell for fastest time with a Mercedes driver by 0.069 seconds over Ferrari, while Lando Norris fell two tenths back in third to ensure there are plenty of teams in contention ahead of this afternoon’s qualifying session. Which starts at 2pm live on Sky Sports F1.

But Red Bull look like they face a battle just to secure a place on the second row let alone fighting for pole position with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez still off the pace.

Verstappen vented his anger on his team radio about the “unacceptable” gear changes and was well behind Sainz’s time until the final lap of the session was enough to put him in fourth place, three tenths off the leading Ferrari. The Dutchman also complained about his lack of grip, saying after the session “I think if I were to compete in drifting I might win the race.”

Perez – last year’s race winner – was only eighth, seven-tenths of a second behind Sainz, and was also vocal on the team radio about his handling problems.

Carlos Sainz was once again quickest for Ferrari in third practice

Verstappen’s final lap was enough to move him ahead of Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari, although the Monegasque driver was forced to back away from two attempts at a flying lap due to errors. Leclerc was ahead of Sainz’s sector once on the second of those occasions.

Lewis Hamilton was unable to match the speed of his teammate Russell in the other Mercedes and was forced to set the sixth fastest time.

Oscar Piastri followed Hamilton as the Australian showed improvement from Friday to finish seventh ahead of Perez.

Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg finished ninth ahead of Yuki Tsunoda, whose AlphaTauri teammate Liam Lawson managed to keep his car out of the barriers after spinning in the first turn.

More to follow…