Nico Rosberg sets fastest practice time at Chinese Grand Prix

Mercedes drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton set the early pace at the Chinese Grand Prix on Friday with the fastest times in the first practice session.

Mercedes drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton set the early pace at the Chinese Grand Prix on Friday with the fastest times in the first practice session.

Mercedes Formula One driver Nico Rosberg of Germany. (Reuters Photo)

Rosberg had the quickest lap time at 1 minute, 38.037 seconds, just ahead of his teammate, Hamilton, at 1:38.183.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel had the third-fastest time of the session, a full half-second behind Hamilton.

Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen rounded out the top five.

It was a frustrating session for Williams driver Felipe Massa and Renault’s Kevin Magnussen, both of whom experienced tire problems that prevented them from setting a time.

The red flag also came out after Magnussen’s tire blew out on the back straight, halting practice for 20 minutes toward the end of the session.