SINGAPORE (AFP) — World championship leader Lewis Hamilton and his nearest challenger Felipe Massa dominated the opening practice for the Singapore Grand Prix Friday, driving under lights for the first time.
The Briton pushed his McLaren around the bumpy Marina Bay street circuit in 1:45.518 to finish 0.080 of a second faster than the Ferrari-driving Brazilian, who is one point behind Hamilton with four races left.
Ferrari's defending champion Kimi Raikkonen was third fastest with Heikki Kovalainen in a McLaren fourth and BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica fifth.
Rain pelted Singapore Friday morning but it had cleared by evening with the track dry and the weather hot and humid as the drivers clocked as many laps as possible to familiarise themselves with the circuit and conditions.
Not everyone found the going easy.
Australia's Mark Webber in a Red Bull became the first Singapore casualty, crashing into the barriers on turn 18 during his fifth lap. His front right wheel was mangled but he walked away unscathed.
Several other cars had close shaves with Red Bull's David Coulthard, Toyota's Jarno Trulli, Kovalainen, Honda's Rubens Barrichello and Renault's Nelson Piquet all spinning.
Toyota's Timo Glock set the early pace before Hamilton, Massa and Raikkonen took over.
Raikonnen, 21 points behind Hamilton and needing a miracle to retain his title, struggled to find his groove before his tyres warmed up and he hit the top of the time sheets on the hour mark.
But he held the lead for just minutes with Hamilton soon taking charge, as the 23-year-old went even quicker 70 minutes into the 90 minute session on his 14th lap for the fastest time.
Massa grabbed second from Raikkonen on his last lap.
Sebastian Vettel, who stunned the field to win the last Grand Prix in Italy, came 11th in his Toro Rosso, more than two seconds behind.
A second practice session is held later Friday.
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