Japanese GP: Hamilton tops opening session
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton topped the first practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix in dry and sunny Fuji. Hamilton was ahead of title rival Felipe Massa (Ferrari) by just 0.153 seconds, with their respective teammates Heikki Kovalainen and Kimi Raikkonen completing the top four.
Results
| Pos | Driver | Team | Time | Behind | Laps |
| 1. | Hamilton | McLaren-Mercedes | 1:18.910 | +0.000 | 23 |
| 2. | Massa | Ferrari | 1:19.063 | + 0.153 | 24 |
| 3. | Kovalainen | McLaren-Mercedes | 1:19.279 | + 0.369 | 20 |
| 4. | Raikkonen | Ferrari | 1:19.399 | + 0.489 | 31 |
| 5. | Alonso | Renault | 1:19.473 | + 0.563 | 30 |
| 6. | Piquet | Renault | 1:19.743 | + 0.833 | 35 |
| 7. | Vettel | Toro Rosso-Ferrari | 1:20.121 | + 1.211 | 30 |
| 8. | Kubica | BMW Sauber | 1:20.160 | + 1.250 | 26 |
| 9. | Bourdais | Toro Rosso-Ferrari | 1:20.182 | + 1.272 | 34 |
| 10. | Nakajima | Williams-Toyota | 1:20.217 | + 1.307 | 25 |
| 11. | Sutil | Force India-Ferrari | 1:20.288 | + 1.378 | 26 |
| 12. | Rosberg | Williams-Toyota | 1:20.350 | + 1.440 | 28 |
| 13. | Webber | Red Bull-Renault | 1:20.620 | + 1.710 | 24 |
| 14. | Heidfeld | BMW Sauber | 1:20.628 | + 1.718 | 23 |
| 15. | Trulli | Toyota | 1:20.657 | + 1.747 | 33 |
| 16. | Barrichello | Honda | 1:20.753 | + 1.843 | 32 |
| 17. | Button | Honda | 1:20.769 | + 1.859 | 27 |
| 18. | Glock | Toyota | 1:20.823 | + 1.913 | 37 |
| 19. | Coulthard | Red Bull-Renault | 1:20.905 | + 1.995 | 24 |
| 20. | Fisichella | Force India-Ferrari | 1:21.014 | + 2.104 | 28 |