Singapore Grand Prix: Practice Session Overview
Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin secured the fastest lap in the opening practice session for the Singapore Grand Prix, clocking a time of 1:31.116. This marks the first session lead for Alonso this season. Following him were Charles Leclerc in second, just 0.150 seconds behind, and Max Verstappen in third, a further 0.126 seconds adrift.
Oscar Piastri, leading the championship standings, was the top McLaren driver, finishing fifth with a time 0.364 seconds off Alonso’s pace. Despite facing issues with a “very understeery” car, Piastri managed to improve after adjustments following his first attempt. His teammate, Lando Norris, was sixth, about 0.217 seconds slower than Piastri.
The session, held in 84°F temperatures and 72% humidity, experienced significant track evolution due to the dirty conditions on the Marina Bay street circuit. Alonso’s performance was notable, as he achieved the quickest opening sector and demonstrated strong pace under challenging conditions.
Lewis Hamilton advanced to fourth after a slow start marred by traffic, ultimately finishing 0.364 seconds behind Alonso. He required multiple laps on soft tires to establish his competitive time.
In the broader standings, Isack Hadjar claimed seventh for Racing Bulls, while Carlos Sainz initially led the session before finishing eighth, using medium tires and recording a lap 0.696 seconds off the pace. Yuki Tsunoda and Esteban Ocon rounded out the top ten.
George Russell was 11th in his Mercedes, notably without soft tire runs during the session. Alex Albon faced a mechanical setback, exiting early due to a rear brake fire after just two laps. Williams expressed confidence the car would be ready for the following session, crucial for qualifying preparations.
Top 10 Results
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 1:31.116
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.150
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – +0.276
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – +0.364
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.364
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – +0.581
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – Time Not Specified
- Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – +0.696 (Medium tires)
- Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – +0.468
- Esteban Ocon (Alpine) – Time Not Specified
The next practice session will provide a more accurate gauge of performance in conditions closer to those expected during qualifying and the race.
