Free 1: Hamilton fastest in opening session at Bahrain

Lewis Hamilton has started his Bahrain Grand Prix weekend in fine form, ending the session three tenths ahead of reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel. Paul di Resta came 3rd for Force India, running on the softer Pirelli tyre towards the end of the session.

As ever at a Grand Prix on the Friday, the session was a slow starter as French rookie Jean-Eric Vergne became the first driver on the track. The field completed their installation laps, with some drivers’ wishing to complete more than one installation lap. The first timed laps were completed by the Force India’s of Nico Hulkenberg and Paul di Resta, before the Lotus of Romain Grosjean set a 01:34.847 to go quickest overall. Grosjean’s team-mate Kimi Raikkonen then flew to the top, with a 01:34.609 as the Finn hunts for his first podium of his F1 return.

Sebastian Vettel became the first of the front runners’ to set a timed lap, with a 01:34.311. The Mercedes’ pair of Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher slotted into 2nd and 3rd places respectively, as the majority of the field began setting their first true timed laps of the day.

World Championship leader, Lewis Hamilton, then flew to the top of the timing sheets with a 01:33.572. The 2008 World Champion has yet to win a race this season, however with three consecutive 3rd place finishes already in 2012, he leads the Championship from his team-mate Jenson Button who won in Australia.

After setting the initial pace earlier on in the session, the Force India’s began showing signs of pushing too hard as Paul di Resta ran wide whilst his team-mate locked up his tyres extensively into turn 10.

Prior to the weekend, Pirelli explained that dust and sand could play a significant role in tyre wear throughout the weekend. However, during the first session it became apparent the dust and sand wasn’t as troublesome as first thought. However, with the hugh winds that are notorious at the Sakhir International Circuit, the dust and sand could well be a recurring factor this weekend.

As the session came to close, Paul di Resta was spotted exiting the pit-lane with the soft (yellow) Pirelli P-Zero tyres on his Force India. This enabled the Scot to propel himself up to 3rd place, only several tenths off the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton.

Timo Glock ended the session with a spin at turn 1, spinning the wheels in ferocious fashion to get his car pointing back in the right direction once again. However, as the checkered flag emerged, Lewis Hamilton was quickest for McLaren. The Woking based outfit have never won at the Sakhir circuit before, and will be eager to break that trend this weekend.

The F1 cars’ will return to the track later on in the day for the second practice session, before the seriousness of qualifying tomorrow.

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