2012 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix: Hamilton Leads in First Session

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton proved to be the fastest after the first practice session of the Formula1 Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang.

With 19 laps in 1m 38.051s, he defeated Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel with almost half a second and the Mercedes duo - Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher took the third and fourth places.

It was a hard time for McLaren's Jenson Button, whose car developed an oil leak later on and dropped him down to the ninth position.

The Ferrari met the trouble that had been expected, with Felipe Massa only 13th on 1m 39.896s and Fernando Alonso on 1m 39.980s, and they sandwiched Kamui Kobayasahi on a troubled day for Sauber as the Japanese driver couldn't better 1m 39.910s.

Top Ten Times :

1 Lewis Hamilton , McLaren-Mercedes - 1:38.021 (19 laps)

2 Sebastian Vettel , Red Bull Racing-Renault - 1:38.535 (21 laps)

3 Nico Rosberg , Mercedes - 1:38.813 21 laps

4 Michael Schumacher , Mercedes - 1:38.826 (19 laps)

5 Romain Grosjean, Lotus-Renault - 1:38.919 (17 laps)

6 Mark Webber , Red Bull Racing-Renault - 1:39.092 (20 laps)

7 Kimi Räikkönen , Lotus-Renault - 1:39.128 (22 laps)

8 Paul di Resta , Force India-Mercedes - 1:39.298 (23 laps)

9 Jenson Button , McLaren-Mercedes - 1:39.323 (15 laps)

10 Nico Hulkenberg , Force India-Mercedes - 1:39.440 (19 laps)