McLaren and Ferrari, two of the biggest names in Formula 1 and world motorsport, have a storied rivalry between each other that goes back over thirty years.
But for the last decade, two of F1’s most successful teams have had to watch as both Mercedes and Red Bull – two constructors who did not exist in those forms just 20 years ago – have taken turns dominating the sport and fighting against each other for the number one spot.
Since the summer break, however, neither Red Bull or Mercedes have had a victory, pole position or even a fastest lap over those three rounds. Instead, the old enemies have jealously hoarded first position between themselves. And based on what was shown in Friday practice at Marina Bay, it’s looking like they will do so again in Singapore.
Under the lights in the night time second practice session, Lando Norris put McLaren on top. His 1’30.727 was a statement of intent for the new championship leaders. Not only was he seventh tenths faster than his team mate, Oscar Piastri, he was just as far ahead of George Russell in the quickest Mercedes with Sergio Perez a further tenth adrift in the fastest Red Bull.
After the tense, multi-team battles towards the front over recent rounds, it was no wonder McLaren’s rivals seemed rattled. Max Verstappen, who ended the day down in 15th position, admitted he was “surprised” by how far off the ultimate pace he and his team were, even despite the regular complaints he has had about the tempestuous handling of his RB20 in recent rounds.
Even Mercedes admitted that it was “one of the trickier Fridays of the year” for the team, with Russell and Lewis Hamilton only seventh and 11th, respectively – far from the sharp end where they often appeared through the summer.
Norris, who is looking to take the biggest chunk of points out of Verstappen’s championship lead yet since McLaren’s rise to the front of the field, was encouraged by how McLaren were quick ‘out of the box’ on Friday.
“My first comment to our whole team was it just felt good straight away,” he told the official F1 channel.
“To be honest, I think we’re always pretty good at that. I think one of our strengths is just arriving and performing well, but then we tend not to progress as much as some of the other teams.”
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But, once again, Ferrari managed to keep pace with Norris and McLaren.
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