The first Free Practice (FP1) of the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix offered some surprises and early hints about who might be strong contenders. With that in mind, here are my Singapore GP predictions — anticipating the race winner, top 3, and who might score points — based on FP1 and season form.
FP1 Results & Early Takeaways
FP1 was topped by Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin with a lap of 1:31.116s, putting him ahead of Charles Leclerc in P2 and Max Verstappen in P3.
Lewis Hamilton slotted in P4, while McLaren’s title contenders Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris were P5 and P6 respectively.
A dramatic moment came when Williams’ Alex Albon had his rear brakes catch fire, forcing him off the track and ending his session.
While FP1 is rarely a perfect indicator — conditions, tyre usage, evolving track grip, and strategies vary — these results do offer early signals for F1 Singapore predictions.
Factors to Consider Before Predicting
-
Track evolution & grip: Marina Bay’s street circuit gets more rubbered in over sessions. FP1 times may shift significantly by qualifying and race.
-
Heat Hazard rules: This weekend carries a declared “heat hazard,” meaning cooling systems or ballast decisions may influence race-day performance.
-
Car and tyre balance: Some teams may run conservative settings in FP1 to preserve tyres or test durability. FP1 leaders might not carry over to race pace.
-
Upgrades & aero packages: Teams like Red Bull or McLaren may introduce upgrades, altering the pecking order.
-
Physical and strategic endurance: Singapore is unforgiving; drivers who manage tyres, energy, and concentration will have an edge.
Singapore GP Predictions | Race Winner & Podium
With FP1 in mind and factoring season performance:
-
Race Winner Prediction: Max Verstappen
While Alonso’s FP1 pace is encouraging, it’s more of a flash in the pan than long-run proof. Verstappen has shown consistency, car development momentum, and championship resolve — elements that tend to win street races. In a race where others might struggle with heat or tyre management, Verstappen has the edge. -
Top 3 Prediction:
1st Max Verstappen
2nd Oscar Piastri
3rd Charles Leclerc
Rationale: Piastri is a safe bet given McLaren’s form and his ability to extract performance under pressure. Leclerc’s FP1 in P2 shows Ferrari may have pace, and he often shines on tricky circuits. Alonso may fade over long stints.
Singapore F1 Predictions | Points Finishers & Midfield Picks
Here’s a guess at who might push into the top 10 in Singapore, beyond the podium:
-
4th: Lando Norris — expect him to claw positions if his car balance holds.
- 5th: George Russell — Mercedes didn’t look great in FP1 finishing 11th and 14th but Russell tends to come good in qualifying so expect an improvement.
-
6th: Fernando Alonso — his FP1 pace hints at potential, and street circuits may suit him.
-
7th: Lewis Hamilton — experienced in managing chaotic circuits like this.
-
8th: Carlos Sainz — Williams has surprised this year; if reliability holds, Sainz could squeeze into the points.
-
9th: Isack Hadjar — the Racing Bulls rookie has shown grit and may benefit from traffic or chaos.
-
10th: Yuki Tsunoda — under pressure this weekend, he may deliver in a car that has shown bursts of speed.
What Could Break the Predictions
-
Unexpected weather or rain — a downpour or tropical shower could upend strategy and favour teams who anticipate it well.
-
Cooling/heat issues — if cooling vests or airflow fail or weight penalties bite, some frontrunners may struggle.
-
Safety cars & incidents — Singapore almost always sees chaos. A well-timed SC could dramatically affect the outcome.
-
Tyre degradation misjudged — pushing too hard early may lead to late-race collapse.
Final Thoughts
These Singapore GP predictions are a blend of what we saw in FP1 and what we know about driver form, team development, and circuit characteristics. While Alonso’s pace in FP1 turned heads, the race likely won’t be that straightforward. Singapore F1 predictions lean towards Verstappen taking the win, followed by Piastri and Leclerc, with a tight midfield battle filling out the top 10.
See our early predictions here
