The final practice session for the Singapore Grand Prix took an unexpected turn on Saturday when a large lizard made its way onto the Marina Bay Street Circuit, resulting in a temporary halt in the action. Drivers, including Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and his teammate Lance Stroll, watched with a mix of amusement and caution as marshals rushed to capture the reptile, which had been spotted right in the center of the track.
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso, who was navigating the circuit at the time, received a heads-up from his team about the lizard's presence. "We are told the track is clear, but just have a look for the lizard," his engineer cautioned over the radio. Upon spotting the monitor lizard, which is known for its size and agility, Alonso wisely decided to return to the pit lane, narrowly avoiding a potential collision that could have resulted in significant consequences for both him and the lizard.
''It wouldn't be Singapore without a lizard on track!," F1 wrote on their X account.
Mercedes driver George Russell could be heard asking: “What on earth is that thing?!” After his engineers informed him it was a lizard, the British driver replied: “A what?! It looks like a dragon!”
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Lizards in Singapore Grand Prix
Lizards are a common sight in Singapore; the tropical climate and urban environment allow these reptiles to thrive. Their presence has, in fact, become a quirky aspect of the Grand Prix weekend. This isn’t the first time a lizard has interrupted racing proceedings. In 2016, during a practice session, Max Verstappen's race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase humorously referred to a particularly large monitor lizard as “Godzilla".
The session was halted and keeping the security of drivers and lizard the session was red-flagged. Red flagged session means all drivers had to return to the pitlane while the lizard was removed.
As the team worked diligently to remove the lizard, the drivers remained patient, with Alonso and Lance Stroll chatting about the unexpected delay. The atmosphere among the teams was relatively relaxed, reflecting the unique nature of racing in a bustling urban environment where nature and technology coexist. After a brief pause, the session resumed, with the lizard safely relocated to a nearby area, allowing the drivers to focus on their preparations for the weekend’s main event.
The main race of the Singapore Grand Prix 2024 is scheduled on September 22.
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