Formula 1: Singapore Grand Prix Practice Disrupted As Max Verstappen Avoids Running Over ‘Godzilla’

• Formula 1 resumes for round 16 of the 2023 season at the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend
• The practice session ahead of the Grand Prix was disrupted as a monitor lizard invaded the track
• Red Bull’s Max Verstappen nearly ran over the stray animal

The Singapore Grand Prix, which will be hosted around the Marina Bay racing circuit in the Southeast Asian city of Singapore, headlines the weekend of motorsports.

While Red Bull Racing has the opportunity to secure their sixth constructors’ title this weekend, provided their closest competitors, Mercedes, fail to score any points, other teams are eager to deliver improved performances in an attempt to narrow the gap between themselves and the Milton Keynes team.

However, during Free Practice 1 (FP1), the focus shifted from racing technicalities and data analysis as an unexpected twist stole the spotlight. The Marina Bay circuit, situated amidst the city’s green spaces, is also inhabited by giant reptiles, including monitor lizards, as reported by Formula1.com.

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These lizards occasionally venture onto the track, prompting stewards to display yellow flags when such incidents occur. It didn’t take long for the first lizard sighting to disrupt FP1 on Friday.

Huge reptile invades Formula 1 track

A huge reptile, unfazed by the reeving engines, stood stationary on the track as drivers drove to complete their initial rounds of laps on the track.

Max Verstappen appeared to have been caught unaware by the presence of the standing creature around the corner and almost ran into it.

Evading what could have meant death for the animal, the Dutch driver yelled on his team radio, as quoted by Express UK:

“Ah!” Verstappen began on team radio. “There’s a lizard again on the track! A smaller one this time.”

Verstappen had previously had a similar encounter at the Marina Bay in the 2016 Singapore Grand Prix when he was startled by a giant lizard on the track.

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The Dutch driver’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase saw the funny side, and replied:

“Understood. Maybe Godzilla had a kid.”

Seemingly enjoying the joke, Verstappen added: “I mean, it makes sense.”

Two more yellow flags were waved throughout the session as two other reptiles invaded the track.

Drivers will be hoping track stewards can keep the reptiles off the track throughout the weekend.

Verstappen hits out at Hamilton

Sports Brief has also reported that the animosity between Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen, which stems from the 2021 Formula season, keeps growing following the Mercedes driver’s recent comments on his Red Bull rival.

Hamilton had initially cast doubts over the achievements and records of the Dutch driver in an interview ahead of the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.

Verstappen has now responded to the claim of the seven-time champion in the cheekiest of manners.