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 The 23-year-old Californian, poised to become the first American to
start a Formula One race since 2007, lost control of his Marussia
Manor near the end of the 90-minute session and slammed into a wall.
His right front wheel was knocked sideways but Rossi was uninjured
by the impact. The stewards called a red flag, signaling the end of
the session, which only had a few minutes to run.
Rossi had completed 18 laps during the session but had the slowest
time overall, lapping the Marina Bay street circuit almost six
seconds behind the early pacesetter, Germany's Nico Rosberg.
Marussia are currently last in the standings, without a point this
season, so Rossi does not have any high expectations for Singapore.
Speaking to reporters shortly after his arrival in Southeast Asia,
he said his main was to beat his teammate, Britain's Will Stevens.
Rossi was a fraction faster than Stevens for most of the session but
the Englishmen edged ahead after the sun went down and the lights
were turned on for the twilight session.
Rossi has endured a frustrating wait for his first race. He nearly
raced for Marussia in Belgium last year when the team threatened to
drop Britain's Max Chilton in a contractual dispute.
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He was behind the wheel for first practice but didn't get to race
after the team resolved their row with Chilton.
The last American to drive in Formula One was Scott Speed, who
competed for Toro Rosso in 2006 and 2007.
Rossi has chosen number 53 for his debut, the same number carried by
Disney's 'Herbie the Love Bug'.
(Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
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