Singapore FP1 review: Ferrari posts promising pace at Marina Bay, McLaren conservative. Fernando Alonso tops the first practice session of the Singapore GP.

FP1 summary – Singapore GP: Alonso sets the pace, cautious approach behind

Fernando Alonso topped the opening free practice session for the Singapore Grand Prix, while Ferrari and Red Bull showed promising pace. McLaren, meanwhile, took a more conservative approach as the teams begin their preparations for the weekend at the Marina Bay Circuit.

First half-hour

As usual, the drivers immediately hit the 4.940-kilometer street circuit to get a feel for the track. Preparation this weekend is crucial for the top teams: Ferrari is aiming for its first victory of the season, while McLaren must defend its lead against a Red Bull eager to rejoin the title fight. All drivers started with flying laps on hard tires. Early timing showed Lando Norris in the lead, followed by Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, and Carlos Sainz. Alex Albon, however, ended his session early due to a power unit issue. The first 30 minutes passed without surprises as all teams focused on completing their scheduled programs.

Second half-hour

As the session progressed, drivers began pushing the limits on medium tires. Carlos Sainz improved first, followed closely by Alonso. Meanwhile, some drivers opted for soft tires to simulate qualifying laps. After the initial runs on soft tires, Charles Leclerc posted the fastest time, ahead of Norris, Sainz, Verstappen, and Alonso. Verstappen improved to second place, and Hamilton moved up to sixth. With ten minutes remaining, Alonso recorded the fastest lap of the session, followed by Leclerc and Verstappen. Alonso ended FP1 in first position, taking advantage of ideal track conditions to set the benchmark time.

Teams remain cautious

McLaren approached the session conservatively, with the MCL39 not standing out in FP1. On a high-downforce circuit like Singapore, however, the car is expected to perform efficiently thanks to its strong braking and traction – key traits for this track.

Red Bull is not the pre-session favorite, having excelled mainly on low-downforce circuits this year. However, recent updates to the RB21 have unlocked additional potential, particularly addressing the understeering issue on the front axle, as highlighted by the new high-downforce front wing.

Ferrari has traditionally performed well in Singapore, though Baku exposed the SF25’s limitations in braking and traction. It is far too early to draw conclusions, as teams have followed different running programs. Timed laps occurred at various points in the session, with changing track conditions and differing engine modes. As a result, predictions are difficult. The weekend promises to be decisive for the championship, and it remains to be seen whether Red Bull can keep the title fight alive or if McLaren will take control.