Formula One news

Raikkonen leads Alonso in first practice

First practice for the Chinese Grand Prix was all about the two men still hoping to chase down Lewis Hamilton's lead and win the drivers' championship as Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen finished just 0.084s ahead of Fernando Alonso.

Conditions were warm and sunny at the Shanghai circuit with air temperature climbing to 30 degrees Centigrade by the end of the session and the track reaching a toasty 45 degrees - very different conditions to the monsoon teams had to endure at Fuji last weekend.

Felipe Massa wound up third, 0.104s off the pace and Lewis Hamilton was fourth, 0.082s behind the second Ferrari.

Nico Rosberg continued to confirm the Williams Toyota package's speed in fifth place ahead of Trulli, Fisichella, Nakajima (in Wurz's Williams for this session) and Heidfeld.

more news

• 06 Sep.
  • Ferrari plot fight for victory from second
  • Alonso sets Renault up in sixth
  • Heidfeld leads BMW qualifying charge
  • Force India happy with pace
  • Worst qualifying for Toyota
  • Webber gives Red Bull hope
  • Williams struggles in qualifying
  • Dismal day sees both Hondas out in Q1
  • Both Toro Rossos back in top ten
  • Hamilton gushing with confidence on pole
  • Massa's perfect lap not enough
  • Kovalainen lost out in middle sector
  • Hamilton storms to Belgian pole
  • Spa-Francorchamps to rename Stavelot corner
  • Heidfeld tops final practice session
  • Photos: Saturday at Spa-Francorchamps
  • Donington Park submit first phase plans
• 05 Sep.
  • McLaren pleased with first day
  • Raikkonen crash hinders Ferrari preparations
  • Renault lifted by Alonso's pace
  • BMWs struggle on Friday
  • Toyota looking for more pace
  • Force India happy with practice
  • Toro Rossos going well at Spa
  • New parts working well for Williams
  • Honda struggling at Spa
  • Mixed day for Red Bull
  • Alonso tops second practice
  • McLaren to open office in US
  • Massa tops first free practice at Spa
  • Photos: Friday at Spa-Francorchamps
  • Vettel to test Red Bull this month
• 04 Sep.
  • Massa eyes up vital six final races
  • Raikkonen hopes for dry weekend
  • Photos: Thursday at Spa-Francorchamps
  • Coulthard: The engines make the difference
• 03 Sep.
  • Bridgestone going hard on Spa
  • Former Albers manager teams up with Doornbos
  • Massa: Beating Raikkonen will be difficult at Spa
  • Belgian Grand Prix technical preview

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