Mercedes sets pace in China

SHANGHAI. — Lewis Hamilton fended off Kimi Raikkonen to claim the bragging rights over his rivals in both free practice sessions for the Chinese Grand Prix yesterday but the Finn’s Ferrari showed enough pace to worry Mercedes.

Hamilton, who edged out teammate Nico Rosberg in the opening session, lapped the 5.451-km ShanghaiInternational Circuit in one minute, 37.219 seconds in latter 90-minute run to shade Raikkonen by just four-tenths of a second.

“Generally the car was feeling good and it was nice to get the running and the preparations. Hopefully that will stand me in good stead,” Hamilton told the BBC.

FIRST FREE PRACTICE SESSION TIMES

1. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes 1:39.033

2. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes 1:39.574

3. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Ferrari 1:40.157

4. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari 1:40.661

5. Felipe Nasr (Brazil) Sauber – Ferrari 1:41.012

6. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) RedBull – Renault 1:41.029

7. Daniil Kvyat (Russia) RedBull – Renault 1:41.097

8. Carlos Sainz Jr (Spain) Toro Rosso – Renault 1:41.112

9. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) Williams-Mercedes 1:41.303

10. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Williams-Mercedes 1:41.304

11. Pastor Maldonado (Venezuela) Lotus – Mercedes 1:41.335

12. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) Toro Rosso – Renault 1:41.575

13. Jenson Button (Britain) McLaren 1:41.845

14. Marcus Ericsson (Sweden) Sauber – Ferrari 1:41.918

15. Jolyon Palmer (Britain) Lotus – Mercedes 1:41.967

16. Sergio Perez (Mexico) Force India – Mercedes 1:42.141

17. Fernando Alonso (Spain) McLaren 1:42.161

18. Nico Huelkenberg (Germany) Force India – Mercedes 1:42.184

19. Will Stevens (Britain) Marussia – Ferrari 1:45.379

20. Roberto Merhi (Spain) Marussia – Ferrari 1:46.443

SECOND FREE PRACTICE SESSION TIMES

1. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes 1:37.219

2. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari 1:37.662

3. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) RedBull – Renault 1:38.311

4. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Ferrari 1:38.339

5. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes 1:38.399

6. Daniil Kvyat (Russia) RedBull – Renault 1:38.737

7. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) Williams-Mercedes 1:38.850

8. Felipe Nasr (Brazil) Sauber – Ferrari 1:39.032

9. Romain Grosjean (France) Lotus – Mercedes 1:39.142

10. Jenson Button (Britain) McLaren 1:39.275

11. Pastor Maldonado (Venezuela) Lotus – Mercedes 1:39.444

12. Fernando Alonso (Spain) McLaren 1:39.743

13. Marcus Ericsson (Sweden) Sauber – Ferrari 1:39.751

14. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) Toro Rosso – Renault 1:39.894

15. Carlos Sainz Jr (Spain) Toro Rosso – Renault 1:39.971

16. Nico Huelkenberg (Germany) Force India – Mercedes 1:40.151

17. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Williams-Mercedes 1:40.423

18. Sergio Perez (Mexico) Force India – Mercedes 1:40.868

19. Roberto Merhi (Spain) Marussia – Ferrari 1:42.973

20. Will Stevens (Britain) Marussia – Ferrari 1:44.564. — Reuters.