Singapore (AFP)

Britain's Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) set the fastest time of the first two free practice sessions of the Singapore Grand Prix, 15th round of the Formula 1 World Championship, on Friday at the Marina Bay urban circuit (5.063 km) in Singapore .

The leader in the Drivers' standings with a 63-point lead clocked a time of 1: 38: 773: 1000 in free practice 2, 184/1000 ahead of the Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and 818/1000 ahead of the German. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari).

This night session, played under the same conditions as those of qualifying on Saturday (21h00 local / 15h00 French / 13h00 GMT) and race Sunday (20h10 / 14h10 / 12h10), seems to confirm the status of favorites of Hamilton and Verstappen.

The Mercedes and Red Bull, which benefit from more aerodynamic support, are logically more agile in the slow corners of Singapore than Ferrari, whose main asset is engine power.

The Thai Alexander Albon (Red Bull), who like the other British rookies Lando Norris (McLaren) and George Russell (Williams) discovers the route, damaged the front wing of his car in a crash.

Sergio Pérez (Racing Point) and Kevin Magnussen (Haas) were also to be heard by the race commissioners after the Mexican packed the Dane against the barriers.

The third and final free practice session is scheduled for Saturday at 18:00 local (12:00 / 10:00).

. 2nd free practice session:

Lewis Hamilton (GBR / Mercedes) 1: 38.773 (29 laps)

Max Verstappen (NED / Red Bull-Honda) 1: 38.957 (29)

Sebastian Vettel (GER / Ferrari) 1: 39.591 (31)

Valtteri Bottas (FIN / Mercedes) 1: 39.894 (30)

Alexander Albon (THA / Red Bull-Honda) 1: 39.943 (30)

Charles Leclerc (MON / Ferrari) 1: 40.018 (31)

Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP / McLaren-Renault) 1: 40.145 (33)

Nico Hulkenberg (GER / Renault) 1: 40.324 (30)

Lando Norris (GBR / McLaren-Renault) 1: 40.361 (35)

Pierre Gasly (FRA / Toro Rosso-Honda) 1: 40.637 (32)

Daniil Kvyat (RUS / Toro Rosso-Honda) 1: 40.713 (32)

Daniel Ricciardo (AUS / Renault) 1: 40.811 (30)

Sergio Perez (MEX / Racing Point-Mercedes) 1: 40.875 (29)

Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA / Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari) 1: 41.128 (35)

Lance Stroll (CAN / Racing Point-Mercedes) 1: 41.128 (31)

Kimi Raikkonen (FIN / Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari) 1: 41.232 (28)

Romain Grosjean (FRA / Haas-Ferrari) 1: 41.392 (26)

George Russell (GBR / Williams-Mercedes) 1: 41.445 (35)

Kevin Magnussen (DEN / Haas-Ferrari) 1: 41.564 (30)

Robert Kubica (POL / Williams-Mercedes) 1: 42.177 (35)

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© 2019 AFP