Aston Martin's Alonso Sets Pace Opening Practice at Marina Bay
F1 Singapore
Race weekend features the grand prix kicking off at British Summer Time on Sunday.
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Opening Round Overview
The team's Spanish veteran set the pace in front of Monegasque driver and reigning champion during first practice for the Singapore Grand Prix.
McLaren's title rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris concluded the run in P5 and P6.
Piastri was 0.217 seconds quicker than his teammate.
Alonso was 0.150secs ahead of the Ferrari driver and 0.276secs faster than Verstappen.
Ferrari's British icon was just outside the top three.
Weekend Outlook
Few anticipate that Aston Martin will be in the mix for the top spot.
Nonetheless, the outfit are hopeful of a improved performance on a tight circuit that is ideally suited to their chassis, which runs more competitively when plenty of downforce are required.
Veteran racer Fernando is also known as a street circuit master, and often shines on the Singapore circuit.
Yet he was likely running reduced weight or a increased power than his opponents, or both, to post the fastest lap.
Practice Conditions
Partner Canadian racer was a significant margin behind in P18.
Stroll had difficulties with his driving position early in the session and was also evaluating new components.
Opening practice in Marina Bay is not reflective of race pace under lights as it is run in bright conditions in early evening, while the shootout and the main event are staged after dark.
Championship Standings
Piastri leads Norris by a quarter-century with the final stretch ahead entering the Grand Prix in the Lion City.
McLaren are in position to secure the team title on race day.
The only way they can fail to secure it in Singapore is if Mercedes outscore them by over thirty or Ferrari manage it by 35.
Rival Teams
The energy drink brand's team are optimistic of a strong result after recent successes in Italy and Azerbaijan ahead of this weekend.
They were relieved when light rain falling ahead of FP1 abated by the point the vehicles took to the track on a track that had remained dry.
Senior figure the Austrian stated before the session that they needed a dry hour to get underway on understanding their chassis settings for the event.
