Singapore GP Shock: Piastri Fastest in FP2 as Chaos Strikes with Multiple Crashes

Oscar Piastri leads a wild second practice session in Singapore marked by red flags, pit-lane drama, and heavy crashes.

Oscar Piastri topped the timesheets under the lights at Marina Bay, setting a 1:30.714 lap to finish ahead of rookie sensation Isack Hadjar and reigning champion Max Verstappen. The McLaren driver managed to stay clear of trouble during a crash-filled FP2 session that saw three major incidents and two red flags.

Red Flags and Pit-Lane Drama
The first stoppage came when George Russell slammed nose-first into the Turn 16 wall, ending his session early and leaving debris across the circuit. Minutes later, Liam Lawson lost control and hit the wall at Turn 17, triggering another red flag. As the session resumed, chaos struck in the pit-lane when Charles Leclerc collided with Lando Norris after being released unsafely into the McLaren’s path. Norris hit the barrier and broke his front wing before McLaren’s mechanics scrambled to repair his car.

Despite the mayhem, several drivers showed strong pace. Fernando Alonso slotted into fourth, just behind Verstappen, while Lando Norris recovered to fifth despite the pit incident. Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton hovered inside the top ten, while rookies Oliver Bearman and Gabriel Bortoleto continued to gain valuable track time amid the tricky Singapore conditions.

Piastri Stands Tall
For McLaren, the highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Piastri’s pace. The Australian managed to outshine his teammate and lead the pack by just over a tenth of a second. With Norris also inside the top five, McLaren look well-positioned heading into Saturday’s qualifying session, even as tensions grow between their two young stars.

In the end, the night belonged to Piastri, but the bigger story was the sheer chaos of FP2. With multiple crashes, damaged cars, and fines already handed down, the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable weekends of the season.