🔗 Share this article

F1 Singapore

3-5 October features the grand prix kicking off at British Summer Time on Sunday.

Live commentary streamed on radio channels and BBC Sport.

FP1 Results Highlights

The team's Spanish veteran set the pace in front of Monegasque driver and Red Bull's Max Verstappen in the opening session at the Singapore Grand Prix.

McLaren's drivers Australian rookie and Lando Norris concluded the practice in P5 and P6.

The young Australian was over two tenths speedier than the Briton.

The experienced Spaniard was a slim margin ahead of the Ferrari driver and a clear gap clear than Verstappen.

Ferrari's seven-time champion was fourth fastest.

Car Performance

Few anticipate that Aston Martin will be front-runners for pole position.

Nonetheless, the squad are confident of a strong showing on a technical venue that is ideally suited to their car, which excels when significant amounts of downforce are called for.

Two-time champion Fernando is also famous as a Singapore specialist, and often shines on the night race venue.

However he was almost certainly running less fuel or a more aggressive setting than his opponents, or both, to set such a quick time.

Session Details

Fellow driver Canadian racer was 1.918secs behind in 18th place.

The Canadian had issues with his driving position early in the session and was also running new components.

The first session in Singapore is not indicative of conditions for qualifying and race as it is run in bright conditions in late afternoon, while qualifying and the grand prix are held at night.

Title Battle

The McLaren driver leads his teammate by 25 points with the final stretch to go as they approach the Grand Prix in the Lion City.

The Woking-based team are in position to wrap up the constructors' championship on race day.

Sole scenario they can not tie it up in this race is if Mercedes outscore them by over thirty or Ferrari do so by thirty-five.

Competitor Outlook

Red Bull are optimistic of a good performance after recent successes in Italy and Azerbaijan leading into this Grand Prix.

The team breathed a sigh when precipitation occurring before the session abated by the moment the machines took to the track on a surface that had remained dry.

Team consultant the Austrian stated prior to running that they required a clear session to make a comprehensive start on optimizing their set-up for the weekend.