FP1: Verstappen on top ahead of nightfall

F1 Grand Prix, GP Singapore, Marina Bay Street Circuit

Red Bull's Max Verstappen was the fastest man as running began in the Singapore Grand Prix weekend. He narrowly led Sebastian Vettel in a session that is typically not very relevant, due to being held earlier than qualifying and the race.

Free practice 1 at Singapore is a session held with the sun still setting, meaning track temperature is higher that what is seen later in the evening, when the circuit's lights need to take over. Still, with Singapore being a lengthy street circuit, drivers need all the time to get to know the track (again).

Verstappen and Vettel were just a few tenths apart, with both setting their best laps on the soft tyres. Hamilton had a reverse tyre strategy and begin on softs, before switching to hard tyres. The reigning champion ended at 0.666s of the pace setter.

Still, that wasn't that bad, as Charles Leclerc was worse off with reliability problems hitting again on his Ferrari. An apparent hydraulic issue meant he had to stop at the end of the pitlane. He was wheeled back into the garage and wasn't seen out on track again in the remaining 30 minutes.

Valtteri Bottas also had an early end of the session, though he got himself involved in a crash at Turn 19, only a few minutes after Lerclec stepped out of his Ferrari.

Bottas still ended up 4th, ahead of Alexander Albon in the second Red Bull.

Nico Hulkenberg represented Renault in the top 10, followed by McLaren duo Sainz and Norris. Kvyat and Gasly on their behalf put both Toro Rossos firmly in the better half of the pack as well.