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Singapore Grand Prix

3-5 October includes the main event starting at 1pm BST on race day.

Real-time updates streamed on digital platforms and mobile app.

Opening Round Summary

Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was fastest in front of Scuderia star and Red Bull's Max Verstappen during FP1 for the street circuit event.

The British team's championship contenders Oscar Piastri and British talent finished the practice in P5 and P6.

The young Australian was a notable margin speedier than Norris.

Alonso was a slim margin leading of the Ferrari driver and over a quarter of a second quicker than Verstappen.

Ferrari's British icon was P4.

Car Performance

It is not expected that the Silverstone-based team will be contenders for the top spot.

However, the outfit are confident of a better weekend on a tight circuit that is better matched to their vehicle, which excels when high levels of downforce are called for.

Veteran racer Fernando is also known as a Singapore specialist, and often shines on the Marina Bay street track.

But he was likely operating with less fuel or a more aggressive setting than his opponents, or each, to achieve that pace.

Practice Conditions

Partner Canadian racer was 1.918secs slower in the lower order.

Stroll had problems with his cockpit at the start and was also testing new components.

The first session in Singapore is not representative of race pace under lights as it is held in daylight in the daytime, while qualifying and the grand prix are run after dark.

Title Battle

Piastri has an advantage over his teammate by a solid margin with seven races to go as they approach the Grand Prix in the Lion City.

McLaren are in position to wrap up the constructors' championship on Sunday.

Sole scenario they can fail to secure it in Singapore is if Mercedes surpass them by 31 points or the Scuderia achieve that by 35.

Rival Teams

The energy drink brand's team are optimistic of a strong result after Verstappen's victories in Monza and Baku preceding this event.

The team breathed a sigh when drizzle coming down ahead of FP1 stopped by the point the vehicles went out on a surface that had not been wet.

Team consultant Helmut Marko said ahead of practice that they required a uninterrupted running to get underway on understanding their set-up for the weekend.