F1: Hamilton On Top In Opening China Practice

Formula 1

F1: Hamilton On Top In Opening China Practice

Lewis Hamilton's McLaren easily paced Free Practice One in Shanghai...

Jared Turner | Posted April 12, 2012 Shanghai (CHN)

Formula One drivers were greeted by overcast skies, intermittent rain and a slippery track for Friday's opening practice at Shanghai International Circuit.

The sun seemed to be shining on Lewis Hamilton, however.

Looking to become a winner of three poles in as many qualifying attempts this season, Hamilton certainly looked the part in Free Practice One.

Despite wet conditions that made for a tricky 90 minutes and led Hamilton (1:37:106) to complete just seven laps, the 2008 World Champion showed the way by more than a full second over the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg (1:38:116).

Hamilton could certainly use another stellar qualifying run, since he'll automatically drop five places on the Chinese GP grid for a gearbox change prior to practice.

The second Mercedes, wheeled by seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher, clocked in third and exactly two tenths off the time of his younger teammate.

Continuing to impress after a surprisingly strong start to 2012 were the Saubers of Sergio Perez and Kamui Kobayashi who rounded out the top five in time.

The Red Bull of Mark Webber, who led much of the session before a drying track gave way to quicker laps, was next in line as teammate Sebastian Vettel, the McLaren of Jenson Button, and the Toro Rosso entries of Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne filled out the rest of the top 10.

A trio of reserve drivers were at the wheel of their respective team cars for FP1 as Giedo van der Garde subbed for Vitaly Petrov in the Caterham, Valtteri Bottas replaced Bruno Senna in the Williams and Jules Bianchi drove the Force India in place of Paul Di Resta.

Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix is race No. 3 on the 20-race FIA Formula One World Championship calendar.

Button claimed victory in the season-opening Australian GP, with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso taking top honors in round two held a week later at rain-soaked Sepang International Circuit.

Despite Ferrari's early struggles for pace in 2012, Alonso is the World Championship leader with two races in the books.

Immediately trailing the Spaniard is Hamilton at five points back. McLaren teammate Button is third, 10 points off leader Alonso.

Jared Turner is an Associate Editor for SPEED.com, covering NASCAR and Formula One, and is an Editor for TruckSeries.com. His professional motorsports writing career began in 2005.