Hamilton fastest in opening practice

McLaren seems to confirm that latest improvements are paying on off in performance as Button registered second best time. Alonso followed third.

Friday, July 27, 2012

BUDAPEST, July 27, 2012 (AFP) - Lewis Hamilton led team-mate Jenson Button as McLaren topped the times during Friday morning's first free practice for Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix.

Briton Hamilton, champion in 2008, looked strong from the get-go and took over the top spot half an hour in before clocking his and the session's fastest time with a lap of the Hungaroring in one minute 22.821 seconds halfway through the session.

His team-mate and English compatriot Button stayed in touch with Hamilton and wound up second-fastest just a tenth of a second slower.

Drivers' championship leader Fernando Alonso of Spain was third fastest in a Ferrari, followed by German Nico Rosberg of Mercedes and Lotus driver Romain Grosjean of France.

Seven-times champion Michael Schumacher was sixth quickest in the second Mercedes ahead of Brazilian Felipe Massa in the other Ferrari.

Finn Kimi Raikkonen followed in eighth in the second Lotus ahead of his compatriot and Williams' test driver Valtteri Bottas.

Mexican Sergio Perez of Sauber finished the session tenth fastest.

Red Bull duo Mark Webber of Australia and Germany's Sebastian Vettel wound up 13th and 15th fastest respectively.