Alonso Leads First Session at Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
This weekend includes the race kicking off at British Summer Time on Sunday.
Live coverage provided on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and mobile app.
FP1 Results Highlights
The team's Spanish veteran topped the times in front of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Dutch ace during the opening session at the street circuit event.
McLaren's title rivals Australian rookie and Lando Norris concluded the run in P5 and P6.
The young Australian was 0.217 seconds quicker than the Briton.
Alonso was a tenth and a half in front of Leclerc and a clear gap faster than Verstappen.
The Italian squad's British icon was P4.
Team Strategies
It is not expected that Aston Martin will be contenders for the top spot.
However, the team are optimistic of a strong showing on a technical venue that is better matched to their car, which performs better when high levels of aerodynamic grip are required.
Two-time champion Alonso is also known as a Marina Bay expert, and usually excels on the Marina Bay street track.
Yet he was likely running reduced weight or a more aggressive setting than his opponents, or each, to set such a quick time.
Session Details
Partner Canadian racer was 1.918secs off the pace in 18th place.
The Canadian had difficulties with his cockpit during the initial runs and was also evaluating test items.
The first session in Singapore is not indicative of later performance under lights as it is held in afternoon sun in late afternoon, while the shootout and the race are run after dark.
Points Situation
The McLaren driver has an advantage over his teammate by 25 points with seven races to go entering the event in the Lion City.
McLaren are poised to wrap up the constructors' championship on Sunday.
Single possibility they can miss out in this race is if the Silver Arrows surpass them by 31 points or Ferrari do so by thirty-five.
Rival Teams
Red Bull are hopeful of a positive weekend after Max's wins in Italy and Azerbaijan ahead of this weekend.
The team breathed a sigh when light rain coming down ahead of FP1 stopped by the point the vehicles took to the track on a surface that had not been wet.
Motorsport adviser Red Bull's advisor stated before the session that they needed a dry hour to begin properly on fine-tuning their car configuration for the weekend.
