Sidepodcast

Live Commenting: Singapore - Free Practice 1

Here it is, then, the start of the night action. Admittedly, things have already been confusing, as the Friday practice sessions start much later than usual.

FP1 begins at 7pm local time, so that drivers can get as much running in the dark as possible. This means a midday start in the UK, with only an hour gap until FP2 begins at 2:30pm BST. Don't worry, though. Stay tuned to Sidepodcast, and you shouldn't miss a thing.

What do we have in store for us today? Usually, a Friday is the quietest day with only the occasional burst of traffic out on track. With so many variables in Singapore - a new circuit, a new climate, a new time of day - we should hopefully see the teams being a little bit more proactive.

Turn 10 has been causing consternation with a couple of the drivers, and the FIA have apparently been inspecting the bumps on the kerbs of the chicane. It doesn't look like they've taken any action, and I don't suppose they have time to do anything now. I wouldn't like to see anyone's day shortened by simply crossing the kerbs, but hey, that's one solution to the chicane cutting problem!

[Update: Autosport are reporting that the bumps on the kerbs have been ground down and smoothed out to solve this problem this morning.]

I think almost all of the drivers have chosen to stay on a European timezone, so for them, this will be a normal morning's practice. They'll have just had breakfast, and be ready to jump in the car for a few laps in time for lunch... at 9pm. It's weird, isn't it? This entire weekend presents a unique challenge and spectacle, and I can't wait to get started.

Let us know where you are and how you're watching. We'll be tuned to ITV's online stream, as well as 5live Sports Extra (hopefully they won't be rained off this week). There's also Bernie's live timing to keep an eye on, but whether it will be any less flakey than what we have seen so far this season remains to be seen.

If you have any other online links to share, please post in the comments. Talking of which, we'd love you to join us in the Live Commenting Live... Thing, which is always available and open to all. Join in the fun, talk about what you can see, who you're rooting for, your predictions, thoughts, anything you feel like sharing.