F1 Singapore GP LIVE: FP1 results, times, updates and stream – UK Times

“It’s very under-steery.”

Only sixth-fastest for the Australian – a full second off new No 1 Charles Leclerc.

The McLaren driver just 0.021 secs ahead of Max Verstappen in second at this stage.

Other than Alex Albon’s earlier fire, smooth running for the rest of the field early on.

3-10: Hadjar, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Lawson, Hamilton, Piastri, Russell, Antonelli

The Aston Martin driver quickest first up on the medium tyres, with a time four-tenths quicker than Max Verstappen in second.

3-5: Leclerc, Piastri, Norris

Everyone aside from Albon is on track right now…

A dramatic start to the weekend for Williams!

It’s a brake-by-wire fire and there’s still smoke emerging from the rear of the car…

Albon leaves the cockpit after an uncomfortable moment.

Overcast but no rain in the air as we get underway with the first of three practice sessions in Singapore!

Sixty minutes for drivers to get up to speed with the track conditions around this tricky street circuit!

Ahead of round 18 this weekend in Singapore, there are 346 points left to play for. McLaren’s lead currently stands at 333 points over Mercedes.

Therefore, McLaren will seal the title this weekend if they simply score 13 points. Thus, a podium for either Norris or Piastri will be enough.

Ferrari can also catch McLaren statistically, so McLaren will become champions if the papaya:

• Not outscored by Mercedes by 31 points or more
• Not outscored by Ferrari by 35 points or more

F1’s governing body have issued a first-ever “heat hazard” warning for this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.

With temperatures set to reach a humid 31C in the city-state, new regulations this year state that drivers may fit a cooling device to their cars if they so wish.

The cooling system pumps liquid around a series of tubes but it is not mandatory, with ballast being added to cars for drivers who opt not to use the device, in order for every car in the field to be equal in weight.

“It’s a seven-race championship, plus a couple of sprints. He’s got a race in his pocket over his teammate and three races over Max Verstappen. You can get away with one rough weekend, but he doesn’t need two.”

6. Racing Bulls – 72 points

7. Aston Martin – 62 points