Lewis Hamilton sets the pace in opening practice for Monaco Grand Prix

26 May 2016 10:23

Lewis Hamilton threw down the gauntlet to Nico Rosberg by setting the pace in opening practice for the Monaco Grand Prix.

The triple world champion, who last won here in 2008, posted a best lap of one minute and 15.537 seconds to lead his Mercedes team-mate Rosberg by one tenth of a second at the principality.

Rosberg, bidding for his fourth consecutive victory in Monaco and who leads Hamilton by 43 points in the championship, ended the opening 90-minute session limping back to the pit lane with a left-rear puncture.

It appeared as though Rosberg ran over a loose drain cover on the exit of Sainte Devote. Jenson Button, following the Mercedes driver, then clattered into the debris. It led to the 2009 world champion, who posted the 15th best time, also sustaining a puncture, and the session was red flagged. Race director Charlie Whiting was immediately on the scene inspecting the area in question.

It marked the end of an incident-packed session on the streets of Monte Carlo, with Felipe Massa crashing out at turn one after he lost control of his Williams with just 35 minutes gone.

British rookie Jolyon Palmer was also in the wall on his grand prix debut at the iconic venue. "Sorry guys," the Renault driver said to his team over the radio.

Hamilton insisted there is no longer any tension between himself and Rosberg following their opening-lap crash at the Spanish Grand Prix a fortnight ago.

And his early marker in first practice here is just what the Briton, who has not won since October's United States Grand Prix - a streak which stretches to eight races - required as he attempts to get the fraught defence of his championship back on track.

Sebastian Vettel was third for Ferrari, nearly half-a-second slower than Hamilton, with Daniel Ricciardo fourth fastest. His Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen, the 18-year-old who became the sport's youngest-ever winner following his memorable triumph in Spain, was next up in the order with Daniil Kvyat - now racing for Toro Rosso - sixth fastest.

While Button predicted this slow street circuit would suit McLaren and afford the British team their best chance of a strong finish this season, he was only 15th with team-mate Fernando Alonso, two places higher in the order.

Source: PA