Formula 1 practice race ahead of Singapore Grand Prix cancelled after large lizard infests track

During the third and final practice session before the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday, Formula 1 saw the “strangest red flag ever”.

It all happened when Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso reported over the radio that he had seen a large lizard in the middle of the track during practice on Saturday.

The race management then interrupted the race with a red flag to give the marshals the opportunity to remove the lizard from the track.

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Two marshals were sent to clear the lizard from the track. One of them was given a plastic bag to catch the reptile, but this proved to be a difficult task.

Of course, the lizard was not very cooperative and ran away from the marshals – much to the amusement of Red Bull racing driver Daniel Ricciardo, who watched the scene unfold with a laugh.

The commentators had some fun with their comments on the Marshal's pursuit of the lizard.

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Marshals chase a lizard off the track during the final practice session ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, Singapore on September 21, 2024. (Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

“The lizard is having a great day!”

“Those hind legs really hoove around, don’t they?”

The rogue reptile was eventually removed from the course and the action resumed shortly after the lizard's delay.

Lizards are widespread on the island of Singapore and since they like warmth, they often come to the race track because the asphalt on which the racers drive retains the heat.

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A lizard runs across the track during the final practice session ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, Singapore on September 21, 2024. (Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

This was not the first time that a lizard was on the track in Singapore. In 2016, another reptile was on the track during the final practice session, which was nicknamed “Godzilla” by Max Verstappen's race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase.

Qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix takes place later on Saturday, with the race on Sunday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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