Well sunny skies and a dry track mean't that good testing can commence with out the threat of rain. A early 10am start in China, but a even earlier 3am start here in England.
So how did it go?
At every weekend the first practice session is the one to get to grips with the car and of course the track. Many of the drivers struggled with an unusual spin from Räikkönen and some offs on turns 1 and 2. Dust on the track stopped the drivers from pushing until they all vacuumed it off, but that still didn't stop them all from struggling. Sauber's Esteban Gutierrez kept going of on turns 1 and 2 trying to fine the perfect line to take the tricky spiral turn.
Pase then started to rise as Drivers starting pushing. Mercedes Rosberg and Hamilton both went out at the same time and immediately put in quick lap times. It wasn't that much of a breeze as Hamilton's time was beaten by Webber. Rosberg has definitely shown that he can be competitive with a world champion as a team mate. A few laps later, both still together, the track temperature increased and they both went for it. Rosberg improving his time by 6 tenths at 1:36.717 and Hamilton only 4.5 tenths down at 1:37:171. At this point the Mercedes were unbeatable.
Lap times kept being posted with the two Red Bull's in the 3rd (Webber) and 4th (Vettel). Crucially Webber showing that he can be just as fast as his team mate, if not quicker.
Alonso next, putting in a good lap time to keep in touch with the faster drivers and Button producing a lot from the car with upgrades and developing part on the car in 6th overall.
Massa, Sutil, Grosjean and di Resta completing the top ten.
So an simple, easy first practice with not many incidents but a lot of testing, Mercedes showing theirs strengths with both drivers while Williams and Sauber showing that they have not got the pace. The checkered flag dropped and the session came to a close but it can't always go perfectly. Cold tyres and graining on Perez's tyres were too much for the sharp corner into the pit lane, locking up, the car didn't turn and it went straight into the gravel. A bad way to end a otherwise successful session.
Thats the round up of P1.
Round up of P2 to come next, Hope you enjoyed reading.
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