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F1 Singapore

This weekend features the grand prix beginning at 1pm BST on Sunday.

Real-time coverage streamed on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and mobile app.

Practice Session Overview

Aston Martin's two-time champion set the pace in front of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Red Bull's Max Verstappen during FP1 at the Marina Bay race.

McLaren's title rivals Oscar Piastri and British talent concluded the practice in P5 and P6.

Piastri was 0.217 seconds speedier than the Briton.

The experienced Spaniard was a tenth and a half ahead of Leclerc and over a quarter of a second faster than Verstappen.

Ferrari's British icon was fourth fastest.

Car Performance

It is not expected that Aston Martin will be front-runners for P1.

Nonetheless, the outfit are optimistic of a improved performance on a low-speed track that is more suited to their chassis, which performs better when high levels of aerodynamic grip are required.

Veteran racer Fernando is also famous as a Singapore specialist, and typically performs well on the Marina Bay street track.

Yet he was probably operating with a lighter load or a higher engine mode than his competitors, or each, to post the fastest lap.

Practice Conditions

Partner Lance Stroll was almost two seconds slower in 18th place.

He had problems with his cockpit at the start and was also testing test items.

The first session in Singapore is not reflective of race pace for qualifying and race as it is held in bright conditions in early evening, while the shootout and the grand prix are held under floodlights.

Title Battle

Piastri has an advantage over his teammate by a quarter-century with remaining rounds ahead entering the weekend in Singapore.

McLaren are poised to secure the constructors' championship on Sunday.

The only way they can miss out in this race is if the Silver Arrows surpass them by thirty-one or Ferrari do so by thirty-five.

Rival Teams

Red Bull are positive of a strong result after recent successes in Monza and Baku ahead of this weekend.

The team breathed a sigh when drizzle falling prior to running cleared by the point the vehicles went out on a track that had not been wet.

Team consultant Helmut Marko commented before the session that they wanted a uninterrupted running to begin properly on understanding their set-up for the Grand Prix.