Norris sets pace as Verstappen has ‘difficult’ day

Title rivals Max Verstappen and Lando Norris had contrasting days in Friday practice at the Singapore Grand Prix as the McLaren driver set the pace with the championship leader down in 15th.

Norris was 0.058 seconds clear of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in his McLaren while Verstappen was 1.294secs slower than the Briton.

Norris, looking to close his 59-point deficit to Verstappen this weekend, said his car was “feeling good”. The Dutchman said his day was “difficult”.

Mercedes were also off the pace. George Russell, seventh fastest overall, crashed at the end of the second session, while team-mate Lewis Hamilton said the team were “a little bit lost”.

Norris said: “Pace is good. It was also a nice lap. We’re doing what we expect, I guess, to be up at the front and together with Ferrari but it was a very nice lap and Charles is just behind.

“I was a hoping to have a much bigger gap which means they’re quick. Ferrari are very, very fast.”

Verstappen said: “Difficult. Not having the grip that we would like. We have a few things to look at.

“I was not really struggling with the bumps or kerbs just general grip so we have to look at the trade-off between the two.”