Rosberg quickest in opening practice

Practice for the European Grand Prix got underway this morning in warm temperatures.

Heikki Kovalainen was the first on track, despite his late arrival in Valencia. The Finn only made it early this morning, having been forced to change plans and drive overnight from Geneva because of a French Air Traffic Controller’s strike.

All the drivers did an early installation run before pitting. Lucas di Grassi completed a first flying lap with seventeen minutes gone. Jenson Button quickly joined him on track, despite poor grip levels, and established himself at the top of the timesheets with a 1’43’’245.

Christan Klien and Lewis Hamilton were next to post a time on the board with just over an hour remaining. It was then Alguersuari, Glock and Senna’s turn to set a fast lap. After 30 minutes of practice, Button was leading from Hamilton and Alguersuari.

The session was red-flagged with 36 minutes gone so that the marshals could clear some minor debris from one of Senna’s rearview mirror. The Brazilian had lost it a few minutes earlier and replays showed it had been run over several times – hence the debris.

Practice quickly resumed with both Ferraris straight out. At that time, only ten drivers had posted a time. Massa went fifth fastest while Michael Schumacher put his Mercedes on top with a 1’42’’369. As Massa improved, Alonso and Rosberg appeared in the top three. The German further improved to better Schumacher’s fastest time and take over at the top.

Button also improved to move up to P2 while Vettel and Webber were yet to post a time. The Australian’s first effort put him in P17. He moved up to P9 with his next lap as his teammate was down in 24th.

In the meantime, the McLaren drivers made their way back at the top with Hamilton setting the fastest time. The Red Bulls slowly got on the pace and were 6th and 7th fastest at the end of their first run.

Putting his F-Duct to good use, Nico Rosberg set a new fastest time with 13 minutes remaining.

Each driver having only one set of rubber to use in this session, there was no major improvement in the last ten minutes. Rosberg topped this first practice session with a time of 1’41’’175, with Hamilton second and Button in third.

Robert Kubica was fourth quickest for Renault. Massa was fith with Vettel and Webber sixth and seventh. Schumacher, Alonso and Barrichello rounded off the top ten.