Formula 1 News: Alonso tops Practice 1 for 2025 Singapore GP

Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso (pictured) turned a lap of 1m31.116s to top opening practice for the 2025 Singapore GP Formula 1 race on the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Alonso’s fastest lap in his #14 Mercedes powered car, on the green track that is still rubbering in, was 0.150s faster than the #16 Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.

Last year’s pole was a 1m 29.525s set by Norris, so there is definitely time to find out the sun sets and the track continues to rubber in.

The winner of the last two races, Max Verstappen, was third in his #1 Red Bull, 0.276s behind Alonso. However, Red Bull always turns their engine down on Friday so expect more from him on Saturday.

Lewis Hamilton, who is still mourning the loss of his dog Roscoe, put the #44 Ferrari in 4th, 0.364s behind Alonso.

F1 points leader Oscar Piastri rounded out the top-5, 0.365s behind Alonso and just ahead of his McLaren teammate Lando Norris who was 6th.

Hard to know what to make of McLaren in that session. Piastri complained about understeer, picked up traffic, clipped the wall and yet still finished ahead of Norris. It certainly feels like there is more to come from the McLaren team, especially Norris who was imperious here last season.

Williams and Mercedes did not run the soft tires in FP1, and thus their times are not fully representative. Nonetheless, Sainz finishing in the top 10 on the C4 rubber is a strong effort, that bodes well for Williams being the pick of the midfield – or certainly in a tight fight with Racing Bulls.

Mercedes did not expect to go particularly well here given the temperatures – Las Vegas likely to suit them a bit more. But perhaps saving a set of softs for FP2 – when conditions are more representative – or even Qualifying will pay dividends.

There was some early drama for Alex Albon when the Thai-British driver returned to the pits with some smoke coming from the rear of his Williams, forcing mechanics to get the air blowers and fire extinguishers out to keep the situation under control.

2025 Singapore GP Practice 1 Results