Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time during opening practice for Formula 1’s Singapore Grand Prix.
Singapore did not feature on the calendar in 2020 or 2021 owing to Covid-19 entry restrictions but secured a fresh deal through 2028 during its hiatus.
Formula 1 cars returned to the streets of Marina Bay on Friday evening, with the circuit unchanged since its last appearance in 2019, and seven-time champion Hamilton clocked the quickest time.
Hamilton’s lap of 1:43.033s left him 0.084s faster than runaway title leader Max Verstappen.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc recovered from an early brake issue to set the third-best time.
Sergio Perez was fourth for Red Bull, with George Russell fifth for Mercedes, having slid wide at Turn 11 during the early stages of the session and made light contact with the barriers.
Carlos Sainz was sixth for Ferrari after a wild moment on his hot lap that left him running wide at the final corner.
Esteban Ocon was seventh for Alpine while a promising showing for Lance Stroll came to an early end after he slid into the wall exiting Turn 5.
Stroll suffered left-rear damage and parked his wounded AMR22 at the end of the straight, bringing out the red flag.
AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly finished ninth while Fernando Alonso rounded out the top 10, having missed the last part of the session while Alpine investigated a suspected oil leak.
Second practice for the Singapore Grand Prix is scheduled for 21:00 local time
[motorsport_result id=’92860′]
