PRACTICE: Pin narrowly leads Weug and Palmowski in Singapore opener

Standings leader Doriane Pin made a strong start around the Marina Bay Street Circuit, as the Mercedes driver clocked in the fastest time of Free Practice in Singapore.

There was a breakaway trio out front with Maya Weug and Alisha Palmowski all finishing within 0.051s of Pin, who ended the session top on a 2:03.944.

As the field embarked on their initial laps around the 4.927km circuit, Rafaela Ferreira’s session came to a premature end after puffs of smoke appeared from the rear of the #18 Racing Bulls car.

Alba Larsen kicked off the day with a 2:22.717, but the Tommy Hilfiger driver’s time was quickly bettered by MP Motorsport teammates Joanne Ciconte and Weug. After setting a 2:07.505, the Ferrari driver pushed on, delivering a 2:05.294 to go over a second clear of Pin.

Responding to Weug’s efforts, Pin posted a 2:05.086 to go top by two tenths, with Palmowski joining the pair inside the 2:05s. The Mercedes driver continued to set the pace, breaking into the 2:04s but as the track improved, Weug returned to the top on a 2:04.370, giving the leading trio a six-tenth advantage over fourth-placed Chambers.

The Yellow Flags were waved briefly at the halfway mark after Wild Card driver Lisa Billard spun on to the run-off out of the final corner but was able to rejoin.

As the session drew towards its end, Palmowski regained the fastest lap by two tenths and improved to a 2:04.025 on the Red Bull Racing driver’s next lap. There was still time to find as Weug completed a 2:03.966 to snatch back P1.

However, the Ferrari driver’s hold would last long as Pin went quickest on 2:03.944 to finish 0.022s ahead of Weug, who made hefty contact with the wall at the end of the session. Palmowski closed to within 0.051s of third on her final attempt, with Chambers having to settle for fourth, 0.516s adrift off the time to beat.

McLaren’s Ella Lloyd was fifth on her return to Singapore ahead of Billard and Aurelia Nobels. Tina Hausmann was eighth followed by Nina Gademan in ninth and Emma Felbermayr in P10.

Drivers will have to wait until the sun has set before getting back out on track, with Qualifying scheduled to get underway at 19:00 local time (UTC+8).