Korean GP: Hamilton tops opening practice

There were no signs of the newly-laid track surface breaking up as the formula one cars christened the Yeongam venue on Friday morning.

But the circuit was as slippery as most paddock observers have ever seen, with drivers' tires white with dust in the pitlane, and reporters coughing amid the haze.

Eyebrows were also raised when at least two snakes were photographed slithering across the layout on Thursday, and Sebastian Vettel expressed concern after finding a huge rusty nail as the walked the circuit.

"If you drive over that, you have a puncture," the Red Bull driver told Bild newspaper.

Lewis Hamilton was quickest for McLaren at the end of the first ever Formula 1 practice session at the Korean International Circuit Friday morning.

Hamilton's time was 1m40.887s, ahead of Kubica in second and Nico Rosberg third. Sebastian Vettel was fourth for Red Bull followed by Jenson Button and Michael Schumacher.

Results