Alonso tempers expectations: "We could go out in Q2"

After a setback in Italy, Fernando Alonso is keen to get a top result in Singapore. The Aston Martin driver finished the second free practice session in fourth place, behind two Ferraris and a Mercedes but ahead of both Red Bulls. Still, according to Alonso, no big conclusions should be drawn from this.

Alonso looked back on a pleasant day in Singapore. "Today was fun," the Spaniard said. "I think the new circuit layout is an improvement: it's a bit faster, and you get into a little more rhythm around the lap. I like the changes they've made. It was a normal Friday in Singapore – hot and humid – but we got some useful tests done on the car and with the tyres, so let's see how tomorrow goes."

Alonso continued: "It's hard to read too much into the times – today was more about building confidence with the car and the track. I think qualifying is going to be very tight: we could be P5, P6, or we could go out in Q2 if we lose just a couple of tenths over a lap."

Team-mate Lance Stroll, as often this season, came nowhere near Alonso's time. The Canadian finished only 14th in FP2. "Today we couldn't really find the pace we needed, so we have some work to do tonight to understand where we can improve. We'll make some adjustments to the set up and come back stronger for qualifying tomorrow," Stroll promised.