Sainz tops Singapore Grand Prix third practice

1. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

2. George Russell (Mercedes)

3. Lando Norris (McLaren)

4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

6. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

8. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

9. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)

10. Yuki Tsunoda (Alpha Tauri)

While other drivers struggle, Carlos Sainz has returned to the top of the timesheets with a 1:32.065 on the soft rubber.

The Spaniard attacks another lap but takes a bumpy trip across the kerb. It doesn’t matter, however, as George Russell can only produce a second-best time with a marker 0.069 seconds off Sainz.

Charles Leclerc has a nibble once again but does exactly the same as he team-mate and has to abort his attempt.

The second Ferrari of Charles Leclerc has entered proceedings and as the Monegasque driver was on pole last year, he should be a dab hand at controlling a Formula 1 car around this demanding circuit.

Well, we’re all allowed a little wobble and after brushing the wall a little too close for comfort, Leclerc time is only good enough for fourth fastest.

Over at Red Bull, Verstappen is told to come back to the pits. Those upshifts need looking at.

It has not been a straight forward weekend for the Red Bulls so far, they aren’t out and out fastest of everybody, they are not proving to be the dominant force that they have been all season long. They’ve got issues, complaining of the rear instability, Verstappen on the radio complaining about upshift issues with his gears.

“I’m sorry but I cannot drive with these upshifts, what the **** is this.”

Max Verstappen is on the prowl and looking to overcome the niggles that have blighted Red Bull’s running so far this weekend. The Dutchman is on the soft tyre but his best time is four tenths away from Lando Norris’ best marker.

Someone who can push the McLaren down the pecking order is Carlos Sainz, who goes top with a 1:32.064.

Verstappen, meanwhile, is not happy, not happy at all, with how his car is performing around the bumpy streets of Singapore.

1. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:32.303

2. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.061

3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +0.232

4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.427

5. Esteban Ocon (Alpine) +0.676

This heat and humidity can sometimes lead to little mistakes, it was really interesting just watching the Mercedes then with the engineers and the mechanics before they sent Lewis out, the two front gunners gunned the tyres on and then the number one mechanic on Lewis’ car went out to triple check the nuts, so I feel there is a lot of triple checking going on.

Activate the Stealth Mode, Lando Norris has just beaten his mate George Russell’s best time. The upgraded McLaren gifts Norris a 1:32.303 on the soft compound.

My word. Be careful, Alex Albon. The Williams man kisses the wall but thankfully avoids causing any damage to that fine looking livery.

Yes, yes he can.

George Russell extracts a bit more pace out of his Mercedes and clocks a 1:32.364.

Esteban Ocon is next to cross the line on C5 rubber and slots into second place, six tenths off the marker Russell has just put down.