Singapore Grand Prix
This weekend will see the main event beginning at British Summer Time on race day.
Live updates available on radio channels and BBC Sport.
FP1 Results Overview
Aston Martin's two-time champion topped the times beating Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Red Bull's Max Verstappen in first practice at the Singapore Grand Prix.
The British team's title rivals Australian rookie and Lando Norris finished the session in P5 and P6.
Piastri was over two tenths speedier than his teammate.
Alonso was a tenth and a half ahead of Leclerc and 0.276secs quicker than the Red Bull star.
Ferrari's British icon was P4.
Weekend Outlook
Few anticipate that Aston Martin will be front-runners for the top spot.
Nonetheless, the team are confident of a better weekend on a low-speed track that is ideally suited to their vehicle, which excels when plenty of downforce are needed.
Veteran racer Alonso is also renowned as a street circuit master, and often shines on the night race venue.
Yet he was almost certainly running reduced weight or a higher engine mode than his opponents, or a combination, to achieve that pace.
Team Updates
Partner Lance Stroll was almost two seconds off the pace in 18th place.
He had difficulties with his seat at the start and was also evaluating new components.
Opening practice in Singapore is not indicative of conditions under lights as it is run in afternoon sun in the daytime, while grid-deciding session and the race are held under floodlights.
Championship Standings
The McLaren driver has an advantage over Norris by a solid margin with seven races ahead heading into the weekend in Singapore.
McLaren are in position to secure the constructors' championship on race day.
Single possibility they can fail to secure it in Singapore is if the Silver Arrows surpass them by thirty-one or the Scuderia do so by 35.
Competitor Outlook
The energy drink brand's team are positive of a strong result after Max's wins in Monza and Baku ahead of this weekend.
It was a relief when precipitation falling before the session abated by the point the vehicles took to the track on a circuit that had remained dry.
Team consultant the Austrian commented ahead of practice that they needed a clear session to make a comprehensive start on fine-tuning their set-up for the event.
