Brawn GP exhibited their continuing strength as Rubens Barrichello posted the quickest lap of the first practice session for the Monaco Grand Prix.
McLaren’s world champion Lewis Hamilton, seventh in this year’s championship, showed some aggressive driving and finished third fastest.
Struggling Ferrari improved again as Felipe Massa came through in second.
Sebastian Vettel’s Red Bull suffered engine problems as drivers got to grips with the Monte Carlo street circuit.
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Team-mate Mark Webber also experienced trouble as he posted 22 laps - just six more than Germany’s Vettel, who sits second in the drivers’ championship behind runaway leader Jenson Button. BBC Sport
Heikki Kovalainen was one of the few drivers to try the softer option tyre late in the session and the McLaren Mercedes driver picked up six positions to slot in behind team-mate Hamilton. Kimi Raikkonen was fifth fastest in the second Ferrari.
Williams Toyota expect the unique characteristics of Monte Carlo to suit the FW31 package and this morning both Kazuki Nakajima and Nico Rosberg were on the pace as they posted the sixth and seventh fastest times respectively ahead of championship leader Button.
Fernando Alonso led the Renault charge with the ninth best time with team-mate Nelson Piquet just three positions behind but a second adrift of the double world champion.
Giancarlo Fisichella was 15th best in the leading Force India Mercedes ahead of the BMW Sauber duo of Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld. Whatever the problems the BMW squad have with the F1.09 this year it seems it is not a simple issue. Today both drivers sat out half of the 90-minute session after just a couple of installation laps. Yahoo! Eurosport
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