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Formula 1 Singapore GP

F1 Singapore GP Live Commentary and Updates - FP3 & qualifying

Saturday's action from the Marina Bay circuit ahead of the Singapore GP

Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB18

F1's first ever night race back in 2008, Singapore's Marina Bay circuit blends a challenging layout with hot, tropical conditions to work the drivers hard throughout the 61-lap race.

Sebastian Vettel won last time out in 2019, beating Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc to claim his final victory for the Scuderia - and his most recent win in F1.

Max Verstappen could theoretically win the F1 title this weekend if results go his way, but the Dutchman has admitted that it would be "unrealistic" to wrap it up before Japan. Carlos Sainz topped Friday practice for Ferrari held in dry and hot conditions.

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Lights green
And we're green! The session is finally underway!
More encouraging sights, as well as the sky starting to brighten, several drivers are getting strapped into their cars. A minute to go before we finally get some track action today.
To answer that question, they might want to - given the possibility of further wet weather over the rest of this Singapore weekend.
Breaking news
Another positive update from race control, the pit exit WILL open in five minutes' time! But will any of the drivers brave these treacherous conditions?
Breaking news

Amid all the rain and depressing cost cap chat, here's a more uplifting story. Alex Albon is racing with a special helmet design that has been created by a group of Thai orphans - and it will then be auctioned off to raise money for their orphanage. Here's the full story:

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/albon-auctions-orphan-designed-singapore-f1-helmet-for-charity/10377412/

Breaking news
We have an update from race control now. And it's good news! The pit exit is set to open at 1830 local time (just over 10 minutes from now).
Right, we promise to stop spamming the feed with pictures of water being swept now! Even if it is perhaps no less exciting than your average FP3...
And here's visual proof of those low-tech brooms, if you squint at the screen!

 

And here's something a bit more technologically advanced that Alex has snapped in action on the water at Turn 3:

 

More heavy duty brooms are being deployed in the high-tech world of F1 to clear the standing water.
Breaking news

Away from potential cost cap breaches, there has also been a tyre rule breach here in Singapore from Alfa Romeo. Here are the full details, including a $10,000 fine:

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/alfa-romeo-f1-team-fined-10000-over-tyre-breach/10377407/

The umbrellas are starting to go down in the grandstands as marshals head out on track to sweep away some of the rain.
Given the rain has now stopped, the safety car has headed back out to look at the conditions - here's another pic courtesy of Alex:

 

Rain
Our man braving the Singapore rain, ALEX KALINAUCKAS, reports that it's actually easing off! So, perhaps we will get some running in this session after all. Here's the scene at Turn 5 currently. 

 

 

Breaking news

Although FP3 is traditionally pretty pointless in Singapore - with it taking place in daylight hours in contrast to the cooler night-time conditions of qualifying and the race - this rain will be frustrating for some of the teams. Red Bull and Ferrari were among those enduring a disjointed day on Friday with reduced running. Here's the key findings from what did take place yesterday: 

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/why-a-2021-f1-tactic-means-verstappen-is-unconcerned-by-red-bulls-poor-practice/10377015/

Unsurprisingly, the drivers are not expecting to head out on track any time soon. Some are heading into the pitlane and waving at the sodden fans, others are joking around with mechanics.
In other words, organisers have no intention of delaying this session, so it's far from clear if we will get any running in this final practice before qualifying.
Red flag
So, here we go it's 1800 local time in Singapore and FP3 gets underway, but with the pit exit still closed
Breaking news
In contrast, Ferrari's Laurent Mekies says the "maximum penalties" should be applied to any teams found to be in breach of the rules: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-cost-cap-answers-to-come-next-week-amid-rule-breach-intrigue/10376645/
Breaking news
Anyway, given the lack of track action, let's go back to the fun of cost cap-gate, as it will no doubt be called. Earlier today, Christian Horner hit out at the "defamatory" comments made by some of the rival teams as feelings in the paddock are running high: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/red-bull-considers-action-over-f1-rivals-defamatory-cost-cap-claims/10377376/
Rain
We now have a somewhat confusing weather update from race control: "Session will start on time - pit exit will remain closed." In other words, the session is beginning, but you can't go out because of the rain!
Breaking news
Here's ADAM COOPER's analysis of the situation and what could happen next: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/analysis-how-the-fia-faces-a-massive-call-on-cost-cap-breaches/10377379/
In case you've not kept abreast of all the latest shenanigans in the paddock, put simply, it is understood that two teams have exceeded the $145million cost cap introduced last year - and those squads are believed to be Aston Martin and Red Bull. Cue fury from just about every other team on the grid.
But the weather has been far from the main talking point so far this weekend. Instead, three words have dominated proceedings: "cost cap breaches".
The fans in the Singapore stands are getting a drenching and helpfully the timing screen tells that the chance of rain for this session is 100%!
Rain
And it's a very wet Singapore that we have got. With FP3 due to begin in just over 10 minutes, the safety car is currently touring around the circuit assessing the conditions.
Hello and welcome to Autosport's live text coverage of Saturday of the Singapore Grand Prix!

By: autosport.com

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