Fernando Alonso tops Singapore Grand Prix FP1 timings as Max Verstappen outperforms McLaren

Follow us on Google Discover

Fernando Alonso surprised many by placing his Aston Martin at the top of Singapore Grand Prix FP1 timing sheets, as McLaren struggled for pace.

The session is known for not being an accurate representation of pace for the race, due to the changing conditions later in the day, but Alonso’s performance will be an encouraging result for Aston Martin.

Ferrari also had a strong start to the weekend, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in P2 and P4 respectively, being split by the Red Bull of Max Verstappen.

Red Bull have brought upgrades to the RB21, with a new front wing design, to help with the higher downforce circuit.

The Red Bull have notoriously struggled around the Marina Bay Street Circuit, with the track being the only one on the 2025 calendar that Verstappen has never won at.

Read more: Singapore Grand Prix: how to watch, UK timings and weather as McLaren target championship victory

Alex Albon ends FP1 early after his Williams suffers rear brake fire

Williams displayed a strong performance at the last race in Azerbaijan, where Carlos Sainz scored the team’s first podium since George Russell’s second place finish at the 2021 Belgium Grand Prix.

The first practice session got off to a rocky start for the Grove-based team after Alex Albon’s rear brake ducts went up in flames during the first five minutes.

Williams said that Albon had “experienced a rear brake hardware problem which we are investigating” but the team remained confident that the Thai driver would be back on track for FP2.

At the halfway mark, Sainz topped timing sheets on medium tyres, with Alonso sitting ahead of Lando Norris in P2.

Mercedes were the only team, bar Williams, to opt for no soft tyre running during the FP1 session, resulting in both drivers finishing out of the top 10.

McLaren had a difficult start to the Singapore weekend, trailing behind Alonso, both Ferraris and Verstappen, finishing in P5 and P6.

The Woking-based team are under pressure this weekend to perform, with the potential for McLaren to clinch the constructors’ championship.

Oscar Piastri had complained that he was struggling with understeer, resulting in McLaren making slight front wing changes to both cars. The Australian was also the only car to clip the wall but remained unscathed and finished ahead of his teammate.

Piastri leads the drivers’ championship heading into the weekend, with himself and Norris needing a strong weekend to fight off growing pressure from Verstappen in third.