Free 1: Hamilton ahead of Button

McLaren, generally the most prominent team during the first day of free practice of each Grand Prix, continued this domination by signing a double during the first free practice session of the Spanish Grand Prix.

Published on 07/05/2010 à 11:43

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While rain is expected for the weekend in Catalonia, it was the sun that welcomed the pilots of Formula 1 this Friday, for the debut of the first European Grand Prix of the season. As traditionally, we had to wait many minutes before seeing the pilots take action.

Timo Glock (Virgin) sets the first time of the weekend (1’34”777) but Felipe Massa (Ferrari) establishes a first reference time, in 1?24??129. The Brazilian improves (1:23??386) while his compatriot Bruno Senna (HRT) is far from competing (1:29??779).

Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber) brings his team to the forefront (1?23??190) but the Red Bull then enter the track. Mark Webber continues the fast laps (1), Sebastian Vettel overtakes him (1?22??422) but the Australian regains the upper hand (1?22??011).

Michael Schumacher (Mercedes) in turn stands out by achieving the best time (1:21:716) but does not keep it for long, due to the arrival of the McLaren, this season very fast on Friday. Jenson Button approaches (1:21??788) then steals the best time from the seven-time World Champion (1:21??672).

Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), already author of four best times in eight Friday free practice sessions this season, surpasses his teammate (1:21:330) then improves again (1:21:134), in order to achieve this which will be the best time of the morning.

Far from the first places, this first Catalan session allows you to attend the test and reserve pilots' ball. For Force India, Paul di Resta took the wheel of the VJM03, driving in place of Adrian Sutil. The Briton, in 1:23:030, is ahead of his teammate Tonio Liuzzi.

The newcomer, Christian Klien, is also on the track. The Austrian, who fills the role of experienced driver that Colin Kolles wanted to recruit, covers his first kilometers at the wheel of the HRT. Occupying the seat of the car from Karun Chandhok, Christian Klien runs in 1:27:250, five tenths better than Bruno Senna.

The last minutes of the session brought no surprises and the ranking did not change. Lewis Hamilton is therefore ahead of Jenson Button, Michael Schumacher, Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg, Robert Kubica and Fernando Alonso. Next session at 14 p.m.