Lewis Hamilton topped the first practice session at the Singapore Grand Prix on Friday, ahead of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.

Formula 1 is back in Singapore for the first time since 2019 and we look set up, at this early stage, for a potentially very exciting weekend with Mercedes looking in the mix alongside Red Bull and Ferrari.

Max Verstappen can win the world championship this weekend if he wins and other results for those below him in the standings go his way so his old rival from 2021, Hamilton, would surely like to play his part in delaying the party at least for a little while.

Indeed, his early showing in Singapore suggests he might be able to, with him edging out Verstappen at the top of the timesheets, whilst Charles Leclerc completed the top three in the Ferrari.

Sergio Perez, meanwhile, was fourth fastest but he had an issue during the session and had to come back to the pits.

Driving over the section of track that runs over the Singapore underground network, Perez picked up an issue and had to limp back to the pits, with Christian Horner revealing to Sky post session that it was a driveshaft issue - one that should not impact things for FP2 later on today.

P5 in the session was George Russell's with the Briton locking up early on and sliding into the barriers, though he met them face on with his front wing at a low enough speed to avoid any real damage.

Carlos Sainz was sixth in the other Ferrari behind him, whilst the best of the rest saw Esteban Ocon ahead of Lance Stroll, Pierre Gasly and Fernando Alonso to complete the top 10.

Alex Albon back at the wheel

Alex Albon drives at the Singapore GP

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 30: George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W13 leads Alexander Albon of Thailand driving the (23) Williams FW44 Mercedes on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 30, 2022 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images,)

A special word, meanwhile, for Alex Albon who went 16th quickest, faster than his team-mate Nicholas Latifi, and also clocked up 19 laps in the hour-long session, with no apparent issues.

Albon is back in the car for the first time this weekend since having appendix surgery at the Italian Grand Prix, and suffering respiratory failure afterwards, and so it's some effort to see him back in the car and looking competitive.

FP2 is up next at 9pm local time, which is 2pm UK.

READ MORE: HOW ALEX ALBON RECOVERED FROM APPENDICITIS

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