Blog: Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari Faster Than McLaren In Morning Session Of Japanese Grand Prix Practice
Ferrari lagged behind in the afternoon, but were comfortably quicker than McLaren in the morning.
Kimi Raikkonen was 0.548secs quicker than Alonso in the first session.
They were split by Raikkonen’s team-mate Felipe Massa, who was 0.4secs adrift of the Finn, with Hamilton fourth. BBC Sport
The circuit replaces the venue at Suzuka, whose contract ran out last year. Fuji Speedway, near the picturesque Mount Fuji, last hosted a Formula One race in 1977 and the circuit has been renovated to prepare for the modern version of Formula One.
Raikkonen and Massa, who were 1-2 in the last race in Belgium, picked up where they left off with the top times. Raikkonen did one minute 19.119 seconds with Massa at 1:19.498.
McLaren’s Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, driving to gain points for themselves and not the team, were third and fourth. Alonso was at 1:19.667 with Hamilton at 1:19.807. CanadianPress
Raikkonen was also in no doubt as to the significance of coming out on top after 67 laps around the Fuji Speedway, a new addition to the Formula One calendar this season.
“At the moment we are the ones behind in the championship and we need to try and catch up,” added the 27-year-old.
“We will still try very hard to win these last three races but that is the same as we have done at every race this season.” Nick Briggs, SportingLife
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