P – McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton was fastest in misty and damp conditions in first practice for the Chinese Grand Prix on Friday, as Formula One attempted to get back to the business of racing after all the talk about Bahrain.

The Briton, who has been hit with a five-place grid penalty for changing his gearbox for Sunday’s race, left it late in the session to romp home quickest in one min 37.106sec to set the pace at a damp and cool Shanghai International Circuit.

Nico Rosberg in a Mercedes was second fastest, 1.010sec off Hamilton, with Rosberg’s teammate Michael Schumacher, the seven-time world champion, third. He was 1.210sec behind Hamilton – the defending champion in Shanghai.

Sergio Perez, the surprise package in Malaysia, was fourth best, followed by Kamui Kobayashi and Australian Mark Webber, who had been fastest for most of the session.

Reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel was seventh and championship leader Fernando Alonso 11th. McLaren’s Jenson Button, Toro Rosso’s Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne rounded out the top 10.

With early drivers struggling on the slippery track, the best times were not set until the top drivers were able to use slick dry-weather tyres late in the session.

A number of drivers slipped on the wet track in the early part of the session, but there were no major incidents.

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa lost his grip and ran off the track, crossing a grass strip before he was able to regain control and return to the track.

A second practice session was scheduled for later on Friday, and a third session on Saturday before qualifying for Sunday’s race.