Formula One news

Massa clearly fastest in opening practice

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa was Friday morning's fastest driver on track at Magny-Cours. The Brazilian was almost seven tenths of a second ahead of McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton's team mate Heikki Kovalainen completed the third fastest lap time at the French track.

The first free practice session at Magny-Cours took place under clouded skies with temperatures of around 19 degrees Celsius. It is expected to remain dry for the rest of the day at Circuit de Nevers.

During the first half an hour of free practice there was not a lot of action on track. Most drivers completed just an installation lap to make sure all systems do their job. Williams driver Nico Rosberg was the first Formula 1 driver to complete a flying lap after thirty minutes. The German was soon followed by the rest of the field.

McLaren driver Heikki Kovalainen was the first driver to complete a serious quick lap. His fastest lap was set at 1.16.055. Not much later though his team mate Lewis Hamilton improved the fastest lap, completing a fastest lap at 1.16.0052.

With thirty minutes to go the Ferrari drivers were leading. Felipe Massa completed his fastest lap in 1.15.418. The Brazilian managed to improve his fastest lap in the final minutes of the session and finish the morning as the fastest driver.

Behind the Ferrari and McLaren drivers we find Canadian Grand Prix winner Robert Kubica in fifth and Fernando Alonso in sixth.

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