Get involved #bbcf1published at 11:16 British Summer Time 18 September 2015
Can Hamilton be compared to Senna?
Summary
Kvyat fastest in second practice, Hamilton fourth
Red Bulls much improved
Stevens crashes in the Manor, puncture for Sainz
Rosberg fastest in first practice, Hamilton 2nd
Rossi hits the wall late on for Manor
Get involved #bbcf1published at 11:16 British Summer Time 18 September 2015
Postpublished at 11:15 British Summer Time 18 September 2015
Plenty of of flow-viz splashed on the side of the Lotus.
Postpublished at 11:14
Nico Rosberg gets us up and running in Singapore with a 1:50.393s. His Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton follows suit, but his first effort is four seconds slower than Rosberg's.
Postpublished at 11:10 British Summer Time 18 September 2015
Postpublished at 11:09
Sauber have picked up points in each of the last three races through Marcus Ericsson and will be hoping for some success in Singapore, with a "significant" aerodynamic update introduced on their cars for this weekend.
Everybody has been out for their installation laps, with Lewis Hamilton the last to venture out. No lap times set in the first 20 minutes.
Postpublished at 11:07 British Summer Time 18 September 2015
Get involved #bbcf1published at 11:06 British Summer Time 18 September 2015
As Lewis Hamilton bids to equal Ayrton Senna's record of 41 wins from 161 starts, we are asking if the two can be compared, and whether Lewis Hamilton can now be considered an F1 great.
Have your say via #bbcf1 and text in on 81111 (UK only)
Grosjean knows something you don'tpublished at 11:04
Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer“Lotus driver Romain Grosjean caused a bit of a stir on Thursday when he announced that he already knew what he would be doing in Formula 1 next year - but refused to say what it was.
"‘I’ve got more information than you do, and with this information I’ve made my mind up. You will see me in F1 next year,’ he said.
"The Franco-Swiss is under contract to Lotus, but the team’s future is in doubt as they continue to explore selling out to former owners Renault, who would obviously want to keep Grosjean on. Renault boss Carlos Ghosn said this week that the French car company would ‘either exit or run our own team - we don't have a clear decision yet’.
"Did Grosjean’s remarks mean that it was only a matter of time before the Lotus-Renault deal was announced? Or that he knew it would not be and he had already done a deal with the new Haas team, to whom he has been linked? Some people definitely know the answer - I know, because someone told me they did. But they’re not saying either, unfortunately.”
Bin bags on Grosjean's windowspublished at 11:03
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Singapore GP is a funny for drivers, team personnel and journalists.
It currently around 18:00 local time, with second practice starting at 21:30 and nothing finishing until 23:00. The odd working times means most people elect to keep their body clock on European time given that they will end up working through the night.
“It’s no secret that I love my sleep so one of the most important aspects of preparation for me is ensuring that my room stays dark in the morning," says Lotus' Romain Grosjean.
"I always hope the hotel has good blackout curtains. If it doesn't then it’s not unknown for me to tape black rubbish bags to the windows to keep the light out and guarantee my sleep!”
Go! Go! Go!published at 11:02
The circuit is open and off we go with 90 minutes of first practice. Alexander Rossi wastes no time in getting out on the track, with Sebastian Vettel and Romain Grosjean also heading out.
Rossi a lover of the Love Bugpublished at 11:01 British Summer Time 18 September 2015
Alexander Rossi has chosen 53 to be his permanent race number, and this is his reason why...
Ned kid on the blockpublished at 11:00 British Summer Time 18 September 2015
Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer
Image source, Getty Images“In case this morning is your first hit of Formula 1 this week, there is a new driver on the grid this weekend after Manor decided to draft in American Alexander Rossi for five of the remaining seven races this season.
"The 23-year-old, who holds second in the GP2 championship at the moment, admitted it had come as a bit of a surprise - he found out on Tuesday morning, booked his flight and was on the plane that evening.
"’It’s been a long time coming,’ Rossi said, ‘but I’m very grateful for a full race weekend, and showing the world what I’m capable of.’
"He will be the first American driver in F1 since Scott Speed raced for Toro Rosso in 2007, and one of the races he will take part in will be his home race in Austin at the end of October. ‘The news in America has been a bit crazy,’ Rossi said, ‘but I’m very thankful to be an athlete to perform on their home stage.’”
Postpublished at 10:59
Roberto Merhi has his cans on, watching on as someone else climbs into the Manor car. Yep, there will be a new face this weekend...
Stunning Singaporepublished at 10:57
Image source, Getty ImagesWhat are these? Shots from the upcoming Star Wars film? Nope, it is from Red Bull indulging in a bit of pit stop practice on Thursday, with the above picture a very arty shot of the pit-stop light in Singapore.
This circuit must be a photographer's dream.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 10:55
Almost time for FP1 in Singapore, where it not dark yet as traffic streams on the roads around the circuit. Such an amazing sight, F1 cars whizzing around the track as people around them drive home from work.
Commentary has just started now on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.
Postpublished at 10:52 British Summer Time 18 September 2015
Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer“Some information on Nico Rosberg which may or may not become important as the season develops.
"Mercedes had originally planned for the German to run in Friday practice with the new engine they had to take out of his car after practice in Monza on precautionary grounds to see how it was. That plan was abandoned, and he now starts the weekend with another new engine - of the same upgraded specification that made such an impression in Italy. That means Rosberg has now used all his four permitted engines, and Lewis Hamilton still has a new one in the bag should he hit trouble.
"Mercedes’ reliability has been as impressive as their pace this season so it may well not be an issue. But it’s just one more small card stacked against Rosberg in his unequal struggle.”
Don't stop believingpublished at 10:51
Image source, Getty ImagesNico Rosberg was all smiles on Thursday but how long that will last remains to be seen.
With seven races left, he will need to start eating into Lewis Hamilton's 53-point advantage sooner, rather than later.
"I have the chance to keep believing or not and I have chosen to keep believing because it is going to help for the next couple of races," said Rosberg.
"Historically in sport anything can happen."
Button not fazed by hazepublished at 10:48
Image source, Getty ImagesThere's been plenty of chat in the build up to this Sunday's race about a cloud of haze hanging over Singapore.
It was caused by farmers in neighbouring Indonesia, but race organisers said earlier this week said they did not plan to amend the racing programme for this weekend because of it, and Jenson Button agrees that it should not be a cause for concern.
"It rained on Wednesday and it was much clearer today (Thursday). It looks like it will be fine, so hopefully nothing for us to worry about," he said.
Postpublished at 10:47 British Summer Time 18 September 2015
Dry for practicepublished at 10:46
BBC Weather's Ian Fergusson: "There should be a good amount of dry weather about this weekend. For Friday, it will be hot with temperatures up to 30C. It could well be one or two showers form to the south of Singapore, but I doubt they will affect the circuit."
Get the full weather forecast here.