Formula 1
Hamilton quickest in first practice for Chinese GP
Formula 1

Hamilton quickest in first practice for Chinese GP

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:55 p.m. ET

SHANGHAI (AP) Defending Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton was quickest in both practice sessions on Friday for the Chinese Grand Prix.

The Englishman has won five times in China - including last year - and will be looking for his first victory of the season on Sunday. Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel won the first two races in Australia and Bahrain.

Hamilton of Mercedes clocked 1 minute, 33.999 seconds in the morning on the 5.451-kilometer circuit. In the afternoon he was slightly quicker with a time of 1:33.482.

Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen was the second quickest in both sessions, and in the afternoon he was only 0.007 behind Hamilton. Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas was third in both sessions.

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Vettel was sixth in the first session, but moved up to fourth in the second.

Hamilton has dominated in a decade of racing in China. In addition to five victories, he's taken pole six times in 11 attempts.

A light rain coated the track in the final minutes of the second session. The first session was dry despite the threat of rain on a chilly, windy day.

Rain is forecast for Saturday qualifying, with race day expected to be dry.

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