Friday paddock notes: Ferrari fined after pit-lane shunt, Horner whispers won’t go away, and Red Bull turns the update tap back on
Singapore Fridays rarely disappoint, and this one served up a bit of everything. A clumsy pit-lane tangle put Ferrari on the stewards’ naughty step, Christian Horner’s name kept ricocheting around the paddock, and the form guide for Marina Bay got messier by the session.
Ferrari fined for unsafe release after Norris–Leclerc clash
The FIA handed Ferrari a €10,000 fine for an unsafe release that sent Charles Leclerc straight into Lando Norris’s path in FP2. The McLaren ended up spearing its front wing into the pit wall, a silly, avoidable mess that halted both programmes and triggered an immediate investigation. No sporting penalties, just the financial slap, but expect Ferrari’s pit lane choreography to be under the microscope through qualifying. Given how tight it is here, a pit-lane own goal is the last thing they need.
Horner rumor mill: Aston door not shut, Haas says he made contact
On the political beat, the Christian Horner storyline refuses to die down. Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell wouldn’t rule out a future role for the former Red Bull boss, swerving the door closed without quite locking it. That comes on the heels of an intriguing note from Haas chief Ayao Komatsu, who said Horner approached the American team about a potential comeback.
Horner, who was all smiles at the premiere of the Brad Pitt F1 film earlier this week, remains the paddock’s most marketable free agent—whether he wants to be or not. The subtext: there are conversations happening, and not just idle ones.
Practice: Alonso headlines FP1, Piastri leads a messy FP2
Trackside, the headline times told only half the story. Fernando Alonso pulled a surprise with P1 in FP1, exploiting a grippy window early doors, while Oscar Piastri topped a crash-strewn FP2 as the circuit rubbered in and the temperature dropped. Beyond the Norris–Leclerc pit drama, George Russell found the walls at Turn 16 as drivers tiptoed around Marina Bay’s narrow margins.
It’s classic Singapore on a Friday: traffic roulette, evolving grip, and fuel loads muddying the waters. If you’re trying to map a pecking order, bring a pencil and an eraser.
Red Bull and Mercedes roll out upgrades
Both Red Bull and Mercedes bolted on updates for the weekend, with Red Bull zeroing in on low-speed balance and traction—the lifeblood of Marina Bay. Max Verstappen is still chasing his first Singapore Grand Prix win, and the team believes this package is another nudge in that direction. It’s also one more lever in the title squeeze on McLaren, who showed speed but also vulnerability today. If Red Bull’s long-run reads are as tidy as they sounded in the garage, Verstappen’s Saturday could be interesting.
Alex Dunne on Red Bull’s radar after McLaren split
Off the driver market ticker: Helmut Marko confirmed Red Bull is in active talks with Alex Dunne after the Irishman’s surprise split from McLaren on the eve of the weekend. The Formula 2 frontrunner is suddenly a free agent and, in Marko’s words, “very much like a Red Bull driver.” Translation: fast, aggressive, and available. If there’s a development seat or a junior programme realignment brewing at Milton Keynes, Dunne’s phone will be on loud.
Cadillac opens the chequebook ahead of 2026 debut
Meanwhile, the all-new Cadillac F1 operation is spending like a team that doesn’t want to be making up the numbers when 2026 kicks off. The manufacturer’s numbers show more than £46 million shelled out last year alone—serious money well before a car turns a lap. It’s an early indicator of intent from a programme that’s been all business since its entry was confirmed. The message to the grid is clear: be ready.
What we’re watching on Saturday
– Ferrari’s pit lane drills. No more unforced errors.
– Aston’s posture on Horner. The “never say never” tone lingers.
– Red Bull’s upgrade pay-off in qualifying trim. If it sticks, Verstappen’s drought here is in play.
– McLaren’s response after a scruffy Friday. Piastri’s headline time was great; the team needs a clean run.
– Any rapid movement on the Dunne front. Red Bull rarely waits.
It’s only Friday, but Singapore is already restless. Qualifying here is half the battle—and sometimes more than that. Buckle up for a spiky Saturday.
