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.

more news

• 22 Aug.
  • Massa impressed with Valencia
  • Raikkonen confident for next few races
• 21 Aug.
  • Force India focus on 2009, Mallya still hopeful for 2008
  • BMW gets to bottom of KERS shock problem
  • Photos: Thursday at the Valencia Street Circuit
  • Nakajima in hopeful mood
  • A snapshot of Valencia
  • Valencia should suit Williams - Rosberg
• 20 Aug.
  • Step into unknown for Bridgestone
  • Photos: Preperations at Valencia
  • Raikkonen not giving up
  • Valencia technical preview
  • Barrichello sees chance of points
• 19 Aug.
  • Renault sets sights on fourth
  • Glock still smiling after Hungarian podium
  • Piquet targets top ten qualifying slot
  • Toyota confidence high for Valencia
• 18 Aug.
  • Alonso promises extra for second home race
  • Trulli hopeful of fighting for podium
  • BMW boss hoping to revive campaign
  • Brawn hopeful having done Valencia homework
  • Kubica ready to get down to business
• 17 Aug.
  • McLaren boss relies on methodical approach
  • Heidfeld unconcerned by new venue
• 16 Aug.
  • Button excited for Valencia debut
  • Kovalainen - win doesn't change much
• 15 Aug.
  • Heidfeld expects challenging track in Valencia
  • Trulli set for streets of Rotterdam
  • Hamilton puts focus on consistently scoring points
• 14 Aug.
  • Raikkonen set for Finnish stamps
  • Red Bull goal is fourth
  • Berger: Vettel will win the championship one day
• 13 Aug.
  • Former Renault aero guru passes away
  • McLaren will rotate staff next year
• 12 Aug.
  • Rosberg will stick with Williams
  • Alonso's sneak preview of Valencia
• 11 Aug.
  • Bourdais: It's difficult getting used to the car
  • New gearbox is Force India's final update
  • Theissen: Friday sessions in Valencia will be busy
• 10 Aug.
  • Coulthard wants to ban refuelling

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