Lando Norris fastest as final Singapore Grand Prix practice disrupted by monitor lizard

Max Verstappen, only 15th on Friday, finished fourth – 0.894 seconds adrift of Norris.

Philip Duncan
Saturday 21 September 2024 12:33 BST
Lando Norris is the pace setter ahead of qualifying in Singapore (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Lando Norris is the pace setter ahead of qualifying in Singapore (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) (AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A lizard stopped play in the concluding practice for Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix.

McLaren’s Lando Norris led the way, four tenths clear of Mercedes’ George Russell, with Oscar Piastri third. Max Verstappen, only 15th on Friday, finished fourth – 0.894 seconds adrift of Norris.

But the one-hour session had to be suspended for four minutes when a 3ft monitor lizard found its way on to the temporary street circuit.

“We are told the track is clear, but just have a look for the lizard,” Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso was told over the radio.

“No, it is in the middle of the track,” Alonso replied. With the running red-flagged, a marshal began pursuit of the reptile, chasing it in an attempt to scoop it off the track.

The lizard won the early stages of the comical foot race before the official eventually removed it from harm’s way.

The monitor lizard nearly came a cropper at third practice
The monitor lizard nearly came a cropper at third practice (Getty Images)

When the action resumed it was Norris, 59 points adrift of Verstappen in the championship standings, who held a clear advantage over his rivals. Charles Leclerc complained about the handling of his Ferrari and finished only fifth, nearly one second behind.

Qualifying to determine the grid for Sunday’s race gets under way at 9pm local time (2pm BST).

PA

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in