Hamilton heads Button in first F1 practice session

Formula One 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton topped the times ahead of his McLaren team-mate and defending titleholder Jenson Button in Friday morning's opening free practice session ahead of Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix.

The 25-year-old Englishman clocked a best time of one minute and 21.134 seconds to lead the way in an early demonstration by the McLaren team that they have improved their car since the Chinese Grand Prix three weeks ago - and will be serious title contenders.

Fellow Briton and current championship leader Button, 30, was half a second off Hamilton's best time at the end of the 90 minutes session.

Seven-times champion Michael Schumacher sprung a minor surprise by clocking the third best time for Mercedes.

It was not the first time this season that the 41-year-old German had outpaced his junior team-mate and compatriot Nico Rosberg, 24, who has outpaced him in qualifying and outraced him, but proved his 'new' car with a longer wheel base has given him a boost.

Australian Mark Webber was fourth fastest for Red Bull ahead of his team-mate German Sebastian Vettel. Rosberg was sixth.

Pole Robert Kubica was seventh for Renault ahead of two-times champion and local hero Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Ferrari. Kubica's Renault team-mate Russian Vitaly Petrov was ninth and Japanese Kamui Kobayahsi was 10th for Sauber.

Alonso's Ferrari team-mate Brazilian Felipe Massa was down in 12th position, but it was hardly significant as the team were running through their programme of preparation without worrying too much about their times.