Alonso Tops First Session at Marina Bay

Singapore Grand Prix

This weekend includes the race starting at 13:00 BST on race day.

Real-time coverage available on radio channels and BBC Sport.

FP1 Results Summary

The team's two-time champion set the pace beating Monegasque driver and Dutch ace in first practice at the Singapore Grand Prix.

McLaren's drivers Australian rookie and British talent wrapped up the practice in mid-table positions.

Piastri was 0.217 seconds faster than Norris.

Alonso was a tenth and a half ahead of Leclerc and 0.276secs clear than Verstappen.

Ferrari's seven-time champion was just outside the top three.

Team Strategies

Few anticipate that the Silverstone-based team will be contenders for P1.

However, the team are confident of a better weekend on a tight circuit that is more suited to their vehicle, which performs better when high levels of aerodynamic grip are needed.

Two-time champion Fernando is also renowned as a Singapore specialist, and typically performs well on the Singapore circuit.

Yet he was likely operating with a lighter load or a more aggressive setting than his rivals, or each, to set such a quick time.

Session Details

Fellow driver Lance Stroll was 1.918secs off the pace in P18.

The Canadian had problems with his cockpit during the initial runs and was also testing test items.

The first session in Singapore is not representative of later performance under lights as it is held in daylight in late afternoon, while qualifying and the grand prix are held after dark.

Title Battle

The McLaren driver is ahead of his teammate by a quarter-century with seven races ahead as they approach the weekend in Singapore.

McLaren are set to secure the manufacturers' crown on race day.

Single possibility they can not tie it up in Singapore is if the Silver Arrows surpass them by thirty-one or Ferrari manage it by 35.

Red Bull Update

The energy drink brand's team are optimistic of a positive weekend after Verstappen's victories in Italy and Azerbaijan leading into this Grand Prix.

It was a relief when light rain falling before the session stopped by the point the machines went out on a surface that had stayed clear.

Senior figure the Austrian commented prior to running that they needed a dry hour to get underway on understanding their car configuration for the weekend.

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