McLaren-Merdedes driver Lewis Hamilton clocked the fastest time in the first practice for Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix but Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen were right behind him.
All three drivers traded best track times back and forth but in the end it was the Briton who topped the time sheet followed by Massa and then Raikkonen.
It was clear from the start that Sunday's race is again going to be dominated by the British and Italian teams with Hamilton's teammate Heikki Kovalainen finishing up right behind Raikkonen.
The city track is new for everyone and Sunday's race will be the first-ever Formula 1 Grand Prix staged at night.
With four races left in the season the championship is still up for grabs with standings leader Hamilton only one point ahead of Massa, while Raikkonen, the current world champion, is practically out of the picture in fourth place, 21 points behind the leader, although he still has a mathematical chance.
BMW's Robert Kubica is third, seven points ahead of Raikkonen.
