Formula One news

Hamilton sets pace at Paul Ricard

Lewis Hamilton showed his intent to fight for the win in Monaco by setting the clear pace on the opening day of testing this week at Paul Ricard in southern France. The teams were running on a twisty configuration of the circuit and Hamilton finished the day a massive 1.3s ahead of anyone else.

Ralf Schumacher was second quickest in the Toyota with a lap of 1m06.920s, just 0.1s ahead of Renault tester Nelson Piquet Jr and Red Bull's Mrak Webber.

Nico Rosberg continued to show his encouraging pace by going fifth fastest for Williams ahead of Felipe Massa in seventh place. 

The day was largely uneventful although Super Aguri's new test driver James Rossiter made his debut for the team setting the ninth fastest time ahead of Scott Speed and Fairuz Fauzy in the Spyker.

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