Aston Martin's Alonso Sets Pace Opening Practice at Marina Bay
Marina Bay Street Circuit
This weekend will see the grand prix kicking off at 13:00 BST on race day.
Real-time updates provided on digital platforms and mobile app.
Opening Round Overview
The team's Fernando Alonso topped the times in front of Monegasque driver and reigning champion in FP1 for the street circuit event.
McLaren's drivers Australian rookie and Lando Norris wrapped up the practice in fifth and sixth.
The young Australian was over two tenths quicker than Norris.
The experienced Spaniard was a tenth and a half leading of the Ferrari driver and 0.276secs clear than the Red Bull star.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton was P4.
Car Performance
Few anticipate that Aston Martin will be front-runners for the top spot.
However, the team are hopeful of a strong showing on a low-speed track that is ideally suited to their chassis, which excels when high levels of aerodynamic grip are required.
Double world title winner Alonso is also renowned as a Singapore specialist, and often shines on the Marina Bay street track.
Yet he was likely using reduced weight or a more aggressive setting than his rivals, or both, to set such a quick time.
Team Updates
Partner Canadian racer was 1.918secs off the pace in 18th place.
He had issues with his seat at the start and was also testing experimental parts.
FP1 in Marina Bay is not indicative of race pace later in the weekend as it is run in daylight in the daytime, while the shootout and the race are held under floodlights.
Points Situation
The McLaren driver is ahead of his teammate by 25 points with the final stretch ahead heading into the weekend in Singapore.
The Woking-based team are in position to clinch the manufacturers' crown on Sunday.
The only way they can fail to secure it in Singapore is if the Silver Arrows outscore them by 31 points or the Scuderia manage it by 35.
Rival Teams
Red Bull are positive of a good performance after recent successes in the previous rounds ahead of this event.
The team breathed a sigh when drizzle coming down before the session cleared by the point the vehicles emerged on a circuit that had not been wet.
Senior figure Red Bull's advisor stated ahead of practice that they required a uninterrupted running to make a comprehensive start on understanding their chassis settings for the Grand Prix.
