SINGAPORE: Fernando Alonso rolled back the years on Friday as he topped the opening practice session for the Singapore Grand Prix, clocking a best lap of 1:31.116 in his Aston Martin. The 44-year-old Spanish veteran, who famously won the inaugural Singapore race in 2008, showed impressive consistency around the Marina Bay circuit.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was close behind with a 1:31.266, while reigning world champion Max Verstappen took third for Red Bull in 1:31.392. Leclerc, a two-time pole-sitter in Singapore, is still chasing his first win at the street circuit.
Lewis Hamilton, driving the second Ferrari, slotted into fourth, followed by championship leader Oscar Piastri and his McLaren teammate Lando Norris in fifth and sixth, respectively.
Verstappen, who has trimmed Piastri’s title lead in recent races, trails the Australian by 69 points and will be eager to close the gap further this weekend. But for now, it was Alonso who stole the spotlight with a commanding performance under the Singapore lights.
