Free 1: Fernando Alonso fastest in FP1 for Spanish GP

Local hero Fernando Alonso has ended the first practice session fastest ahead this weekends Spanish Grand Prix, with the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel coming home close behind the Spaniard in 2nd place. Kamui Kobayashi was 3rd fastest, after remaining quickest for the majority of the session prior to Alonso’s reign.

The session took place in glorious Spanish sunshine, as the Sauber of Kamui Kobayashi and the HRT of Dani Clos took to the track as the session got underway. The HRT reserve driver replaced Narain Karthikeyan in the car for FP1, getting behind the wheel of the F112 for the first time this season. Fellow reserve drivers’ Jules Bianchi, Valtteri Bottas and Alexander Rossi also partook of the first session this morning for their respective teams.

After a week of testing in Mugello prior to this race weekend, various measuring devices were spotted on the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton, with Daniel Ricciardo’s Toro Rosso doused in flo-vis paint early on.

The Marussia duo of Charles Pic and Timo Glock set the initial pace, with Glock fastest with a 01:31.011. The French rookie, who has previous experience around the Circuit de Catalunya from GP2, then improved his time with a 01:29.062. This time was then shortly bettered by fellow countryman Jean-Eric Vergne, with a 01:27.125.

Michael Schumacher had a slow start to the first practice session, after continuing his negativity against Pirelli throughout the three-week gap from Bahrain. His Mercedes mechanics were busily changing the rear suspension of his car, with the rear of the car exposed to the many TV camera’s eager to catch a glimpse of the Mercedes.

As the session wore on, Kamui Kobayashi rose to the top with a impressive looking lap which consisted of a slight drift through turn 13. The Japanese driver set a 01:25.297, a time which kept him atop the timing sheets for a good part of the session. Further down the order, Pedro de la Rosa’s HRT lost a piece of bodywork down the start/finish straight, which prompted a rather brave marshal to retrieve the debris.

After winning their first race of 2012 in Bahrain, Red Bull flew to the top in the closing stages of the session. Reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel set a 01:24.808, before local hero Fernando Alonso went fastest with only 20 minutes remaining on the clock. The Spaniard set a 01:24.754, which he was able to capitalize on several laps later with a 01:24.430.

Dani Clos had a disappointing end to his maiden F1 session, as the Spanish driver ground to a halt upon entering the pit-lane. The HRT mechanics eventually met their stricken driver, as Pedro de la Rosa continued out on track.

The teams and drivers will return to the Circuit de Catalunya this afternoon for the second practice session in preparation for this weekends Spanish Grand Prix.

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