Sergio Perez posted the first representative lap time with a 1m15.641s to go top, managing to avoid a stopped Esteban Ocon in the tunnel as the Alpine driver reported a loss of power.
The Frenchman returned his car to the pits after a swift reset at the steering wheel, but this forced him to spend the next 20 minutes in the garage.
Pierre Gasly found a glimmer of hope for Alpine by going quicker than Perez, but the Mexican responded with a 1m14.990s to go back to the top – holding firm from the Ferrari duo’s first fast laps on softs.
Lando Norris then shaded Perez by 0.005s, until Lance Stroll placed a 1m14.763s on the table to briefly sit at the top of the session. Perez quickly dispatched the Canadian with a 1m14.377s, as the circuit began to progress in terms of available grip.
The 1m14s barrier was then broken by Max Verstappen, who went half a second clear of Perez but was surpassed by fellow two-time champion Fernando Alonso and his 1m13.697s lap.
Perez returned to head the order as the opening …