Chinese GP: Mercedes fastest just like last year

After winning the pole and race last year, Nico Rosberg led teammate Lewis Hamilton in a Mercedes one-two in opening practice for the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

The Red Bull duo Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel were a second off the Mercedes' pace in 3rd and 4th.

Mercedes was not only faster on lighter-fuel runs going into the final half-hour of the session, but also had more pace on full fuel load.

Jenson Button ended up sixth for McLaren, between the Ferraris of Fernando Alonso and Massa.

Results

Pos Driver Team/Car Time Behind Laps
1. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m36.717s +0.000s 21
2. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1m37.171s +0.454s 20
3. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m37.658s +0.941s 21
4. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m37.942s +1.225s 20
5. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m37.965s +1.248s 17
6. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m38.069s +1.352s 23
7. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m38.095s +1.378s 14
8. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m38.125s +1.408s 21
9. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m38.398s +1.681s 17
10. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m38.561s +1.844s 15
11. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m38.790s +2.073s 16
12. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m39.057s +2.340s 19
13. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m39.158s +2.441s 22
14. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber-Ferrari 1m39.180s +2.463s 21
15. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m39.336s +2.619s 19
16. Sergio Perez McLaren-Mercedes 1m39.360s +2.643s 20
17. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Renault 1m39.392s +2.675s 20
18. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari 1m40.032s +3.315s 22
19. Jules Bianchi Marussia-Cosworth 1m41.966s +5.249s 16
20. Max Chilton Marussia-Cosworth 1m42.056s +5.339s 17
21. Giedo van der Garde Caterham-Renault 1m42.083s +5.366s 21
22. Ma Qing Hua Caterham-Renault 1m43.545s +6.828s 20