Fernando Alonso set the pace in Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix FP1 with a strong performance, leading the session ahead of Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen. The Aston Martin driver clocked a fastest lap of 1m31.116s on soft tyres, finishing 0.15s ahead of Leclerc and 0.126s clear of Verstappen.
Low grip conditions marked the start of the session, with several drivers locking up into tight corners. Dust on the track added to the challenge, forcing teams to adapt their setups early.
Alonso Sets Early Benchmark on Medium Tyres
Fernando Alonso led after the first 15 minutes with a 1m32.592s on medium tyres. Lando Norris briefly took the top spot with a 1m32.493s, but Alonso quickly reclaimed it with a 1m32.054s. Carlos Sainz then dipped below the 92-second mark on mediums with a 1m31.812s.
As teams switched to softer compounds, Leclerc set a new benchmark with a 1m31.266s on soft tyres. Both McLaren drivers, Norris and Oscar Piastri, attempted to beat it but fell short. Piastri cited an “understeery” car after his first attempt.
Alonso Responds with Dominant Soft-Tyre Lap
Alonso responded with a 1m31.117s on his first soft-tyre run to retake the lead. He improved slightly on a second lap, finding a thousandth of a second more pace. Verstappen and the McLarens were unable to better his time, leaving the two-time world champion at the top.
Behind the leading trio, Lewis Hamilton finished fourth, 0.364s behind Alonso. Piastri lightly brushed the wall during his fastest lap, missing Hamilton’s time by just one-thousandth of a second. Norris secured sixth place.
Isack Hadjar impressed with a seventh-place finish in his first Singapore appearance, while Carlos Sainz—who opted not to run soft tyres—ended eighth. Yuki Tsunoda and Esteban Ocon rounded out the top ten.
In the early moments, Alex Albon faced a setback as a brake fire halted his session. Williams mechanics rushed to extinguish the smoke billowing from the rear of his car.
The opening session at Marina Bay has set the stage for an exciting weekend, with Alonso and Aston Martin showing competitive pace as Formula 1 heads into qualifying preparations.
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