Alonso P1 in FP1, Piastri leads night session: What happened in Singapore GP practice

The 2025 Singapore Grand Prix weekend began with dramatic practice sessions, as Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri led the way under challenging conditions at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

In Free Practice 1, Alonso surprised many by setting the fastest lap at 1m 31.116s, ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. The humid conditions, following afternoon showers, left the track damp in places. Despite this, all 20 drivers rushed out to test their cars. Williams’ Alex Albon suffered a brake failure that forced him out after only two laps, while Pierre Gasly and Lewis Hamilton narrowly avoided the barriers during early runs.

By the close of FP1, Alonso’s veteran skill shone through as he edged Leclerc and Verstappen to lead the session, with Hamilton and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri completing the top five.

Free Practice 2 under the night lights produced more drama. Piastri took charge with a best lap of 1m 30.714s, finishing ahead of Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar and Verstappen. Alonso confirmed his FP1 pace by securing fourth place.

The session was interrupted twice by red flags: Mercedes’ George Russell hit the barriers at Turn 16, while Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson crashed at Turn 17. Meanwhile, Ferrari were fined €10,000 after Charles Leclerc was unsafely released in the pit lane, making contact with Lando Norris’s McLaren.

For the teams, these sessions were vital for gathering tyre and race data. For fans, they provided early signs of a tight weekend battle, with Aston Martin, McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull all looking competitive.

Formula One – often described as the fastest, most glamorous and most demanding motorsport on the planet – is back under the floodlights of Singapore. For newcomers, these early sessions called Free Practice (FP1 and FP2) are where drivers test their cars, gather data, and prepare for the high-pressure Qualifying and Grand Prix to come. For the fans, every lap is a clue about who might be strong this weekend.

Alonso surprises in FP1

Fernando Alonso, the 43-year-old veteran and two-time world champion driving for Aston Martin, stunned many by setting the fastest time in Free Practice 1. His lap of 1 minute 31.116 seconds put him ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

This was impressive because Aston Martin haven’t always been front-runners, but Alonso showed sharp pace straight away. The conditions were tricky: hot, humid, with damp patches from afternoon rain. Drivers started cautiously, but once they switched tyres and pushed harder, the times tumbled.

There was also drama: Alex Albon’s Williams car caught smoke from a rear brake problem, ending his session early. Pierre Gasly and Lewis Hamilton both flirted with the barriers, reminding everyone how unforgiving the tight Singapore street track can be.

Piastri takes control in FP2

When night fell for Free Practice 2, track conditions better reflected what drivers will face in Saturday’s Qualifying and Sunday’s race. This time it was McLaren’s Oscar Piastri – the young Australian who has become a rising star – who topped the timesheets with a 1:30.714 lap.

He led Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar and world champion Max Verstappen, while Alonso backed up his FP1 form by finishing fourth.

But FP2 wasn’t smooth. Two red flags stopped the session: George Russell crashed his Mercedes into the wall, and later Liam Lawson clipped the barriers, damaging his car. There was even pit lane drama when Leclerc’s Ferrari was released unsafely, brushing into Lando Norris’s McLaren – earning Ferrari a €10,000 fine.

Why these sessions matter

For someone new to Formula 1, practice times don’t decide the grid or give points, but they reveal:

Car performance – who is quick on different tyres.

Driver confidence – who is adapting to the circuit’s unique challenges.

Team preparation – collecting data for race strategy.

For the passionate fans, the headlines are clear: Alonso looks sharper than expected, McLaren seem quick in race trim, and Red Bull’s Verstappen is lurking as always. Mercedes, meanwhile, face another uphill battle after Russell’s crash and Antonelli’s struggles.

The Singapore Grand Prix weekend is only beginning. FP3 and Qualifying will truly set the stage, but already the storylines are building: Alonso’s veteran flair, Piastri’s rising star power, and Verstappen’s pursuit of control.