[1/3] Formula One F1 - Singapore Grand Prix - Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore - September 14, 2023 Ferrari's Charles Leclerc signs autographs for fans as Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. car is seen in the pits ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix REUTERS/Edgar Su Acquire Licensing RightsSINGAPORE, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Charles Leclerc set the pace as Ferrari led one-two in first Friday practice for a Singapore Grand Prix that could finally end Formula One champions Red Bull's record run of 15 wins in a row.
Team mate Carlos Sainz was 0.078 slower in a session with yellow flags to warn drivers of monitor lizards crossing the track.
Verstappen has yet to win in Singapore, or start on pole there, and Red Bull had identified Ferrari as the main threat coming into the weekend after their strong performance in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
"I think this track is going to be one of the toughest of the season for us," Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told Sky Sports television.
"There's a lizard again on the track, bit smaller this time," said Verstappen, who encountered a much bigger one on the same track in 2016, over the team radio.
Persons:
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr, Edgar Su, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Red, Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Verstappen, Red Bull, Christian Horner, McLaren, Mercedes, McLaren's Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Perez, Russell, Alan Baldwin, Christian Radnedge
Organizations:
Singapore, Circuit, Singapore Grand Prix REUTERS, Rights, Prix, Monza, Sky Sports, Briton, Thomson
Locations:
Singapore, Rights SINGAPORE, London