Formula One news

Hamilton sets the pace in first practice at Singapore

Lewis Hamilton has set the fastest time in the first free practice session in Singapore. The McLaren driver did a 1.45.518, almost a tenth of a second faster than his biggest rival, Felipe Massa. It wasn't an incident-free session. Especially the final corner has caught some drivers by surprise.

The start of the first Singapore Grand Prix weekend got under way at 19.00 local time. Within half an hour it got seriously dark in Singapore the the floodlights made sure both drivers and fans could see a stunning track.

The pitlane entrance is something the organizers will have to worry about as the entrance is right on the racing line. It caused a few scary moments. As Jarno Trulli slowed down to enter the pitlane Sebastian Vettel had to dodge the Italian as he almost ran in the back of his Toyota.

There were yellow flags for Mark Webber and Rubens Barrichello spinning off but both drivers were unharmed.

The fight in Singapore was clearly between the McLaren and Ferrari drivers. Lewis Hamilton, leading the championship with one point ahead of Felipe Massa, completed the fastest lap in the first 90-minute free practice session but saw his rivals at Ferrari stay close behind.

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