Fernando Alonso Sets Pace Opening Session at Marina Bay
F1 Singapore
3-5 October includes the main event beginning at 13:00 BST on Sunday.
Live updates available on radio channels and official website.
Opening Round Overview
Aston Martin's Spanish veteran topped the times in front of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Dutch ace in the opening session at the street circuit event.
The British team's championship contenders Australian rookie and British talent finished the run in P5 and P6.
The young Australian was 0.217 seconds speedier than Norris.
The experienced Spaniard was 0.150secs leading of Leclerc and over a quarter of a second clear than Verstappen.
The Italian squad's Lewis Hamilton was P4.
Team Strategies
Few anticipate that Aston Martin will be contenders for the top spot.
That said, the outfit are hopeful of a strong showing on a tight circuit that is ideally suited to their chassis, which performs better when significant amounts of downforce are needed.
Veteran racer Alonso is also famous as a street circuit master, and typically performs well on the Singapore circuit.
Yet he was likely operating with less fuel or a increased power than his competitors, or both, to achieve that pace.
Practice Conditions
Partner Canadian racer was 1.918secs off the pace in P18.
The Canadian had issues with his driving position at the start and was also running experimental parts.
FP1 in Singapore is not representative of race pace later in the weekend as it is held in afternoon sun in late afternoon, while grid-deciding session and the grand prix are run after dark.
Championship Standings
The McLaren driver has an advantage over Norris by 25 points with the final stretch left as they approach the event in the Lion City.
The Woking-based team are set to wrap up the manufacturers' crown on the weekend.
Sole scenario they can fail to secure it in Singapore is if the Silver Arrows outscore them by 31 points or the Scuderia do so by a similar margin.
Rival Teams
Red Bull are optimistic of a strong result after Verstappen's victories in Monza and Baku leading into this event.
The team breathed a sigh when drizzle occurring before the session stopped by the moment the machines emerged on a surface that had not been wet.
Senior figure Helmut Marko said prior to running that they required a clear session to begin properly on fine-tuning their car configuration for the event.
