F1 driver startled by large monitor lizard on race track in S'pore

Formula One drivers are used to foxes, groundhogs and even humans wandering onto the track in their races worldwide.

But on Sat (Sep 17) in Singapore, they were faced with a visitor to the track, the likes of which they had never seen before.

A video posted on the Formula 1 website shows a large monitor lizard on the Singapore Grand Prix circuit during the final practice phase.

"There's a giant lizard on the track," said a rather shocked Red Bull driver Max Verstappen.

"You came face to face with Godzilla," said the 18-year-old's engineer over the pit-to-car radio.

The incident triggered a many a Twitter responses and memes.

"New friend in FP3," commented McLaren driver Fernando Alonso on his Instagram post, along with a picture of the animal on the asphalt.