Max Verstappen topped a close final practice where the top five were split by less than one tenth ahead of Qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix.
Verstappen pipped championship leader Oscar Piastri by just 0.017s on a track Red Bull were not expected to be competitive at.
George Russell was 0.049s off the pace as his Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli and McLaren’s Lando Norris set identical times to be 0.089s slower than Verstappen.
“That’s a very good session for Max Verstappen. He’s ended up with the fastest time, which will please him,” said Sky Sports F1‘s David Croft.
“And what’s pleasing me is there is less than a tenth of a second between the top five. It’s now all eyes to qualifying – this could be epic!”
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F1 drivers give their thoughts on Max Verstappen catching the McLarens and taking the drivers’ title
Verstappen has never taken pole position in Singapore and it’s the only venue on the current F1 calendar he is yet to win at. However, Red Bull appear to have turned a corner as the Dutchman has won the last two races to trail Piastri by 69 points with seven rounds to go.
The tight confines of Singapore should suit McLaren but neither Piastri or Norris have shown dominant pace during the three practice sessions.
Piastri and Norris both set their best laps of final practice on older soft tyres, though had the benefit of track evolution so it appears to be genuinely close at the sharp end of the field.
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Craig Slater explains how Max Verstappen could still secure his fifth championship title this season
Lewis Hamilton was eighth but could face a grid penalty for an alleged red flag infringement when Liam Lawson crashed his Racing Bulls.
Hamilton appeared to be going relatively quickly when going back into the pit lane and will visit the stewards ahead of qualifying at 2pm, live on Sky Sports F1.
Sky Sports F1’s Singapore GP schedule
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the Singapore Grand Prix
Saturday October 4
1pm: Singapore Grand Prix Qualifying build-up
2pm: SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*
4pm: Ted’s Quali Notebook
Sunday October 5
8.20am: F1 Academy Race 2
11.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Singapore GP build-up
1pm: THE SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
3pm: Chequered Flag: Singapore GP reaction
4pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
The 2025 Formula 1 title fight continues under the lights at the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
