F1 Singapore Grand Prix: Hamilton sets pace in opening practice ahead of Red Bull

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes AMG set a time of 1:47.055 to lead the time sheets in the opening practice session for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay street circuit ahead of drivers for reigning F1 constructors' champions Red Bull Racing.

Mark Webber's best time was 0.365 seconds slower than that of Hamilton's while defending three-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel was a further 0.465 seconds behind in third.

Hamilton's Mercedes AMG teammate Nico Rosberg was fifth while soon-to-be ex-Lotus F1 driver and future Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen was fifth ahead of teammate Romain Grosjean.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, McLaren's Sergio Perez, Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne and Sauber F1's Esteban Gutierrez rounded out the top 10.

Many drivers did laps with their cars fitted with sensors to measure aerodynamic flow over various parts of their cars and special paint to help chart the path of the airflow.

It wasn't until well into the 90 minute practice session that a competitive time was set.

The F1 field kicked off proceedings for the championship's first night race of the year with Vettel leading the points standings by 53 points from Alonso.

Much of the attention will also focus on whether Raikkonen can make the most of his remaining time left at Lotus F1 despite his championship challenge for the season all but over after not being able to score any points in the last two races Belgium and Italy, the first after F1's summer break.

Vettel, in the meantime, won both those races and looks favourite to clinch his fourth F1 title in as many years.