Hamilton fastest as Raikkonen crashes during practice one at Korea

Lewis Hamilton has managed to end the opening practice session of the Korean Grand Prix weekend fastest overall, only just ahead of reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel. Mark Webber ended the session 3rd for Red Bull, whereas Kimi Raikkonen endured a heavy incident towards the end of the session.

After a two week gap since Sebastian Vettel’s sensational display of dominance around the illuminated streets of Singapore, the Formula 1 paddock reconvened at Yeongam for the fourth running of the Korean Grand Prix. Despite serious threats of a typhoon presenting inclement weather conditions on race day, the opening practice session of the weekend began in glorious and sunny weather conditions. For the first session, reserve drivers’ James Calado and Rodolfo Gonzalez replaced Paul di Resta and Jules Bianchi at their respective outfits, in a bid to enjoy some pivotal running in Formula 1.

At the start of the session reserve driver Rodolfo Gonzalez became the first driver to take to the track for Marussia, and was quickly followed by many others who were keen begin their preparations for the weekend ahead. As per usual many drivers up and down the paddock elected to carry out installation laps, with Pastor Maldonado and Sebastian Vettel in particular sporting a vast array of sensors on their respective machines. Eventually the Marussia of Rodolfo Gonzalez became the first driver to produce a timed lap, with a 01:52.294. The Venezuelan driver continued to improve as the session progressed, gradually working his way down to a 01:46.810 as Marussia’s preparations for the weekend ahead continued.

Despite continuing to improve around the Korea International Circuit, Rodolfo Gonzalez’s session was brought to a sudden halt, after a hefty collision with the wall. The 27-year-old Venezuelan driver ran wide on the exit of Turn 13, and was subsequently speared into the retaining concrete wall. The resulting incident destroyed the Marussia’s front-wing, as Gonzalez limped back to the pits for repairs.

After the debris that littered the exit of Turn 13 was cleared by the Korean marshals, the drivers gradually returned to the circuit to continue with their preparations. Sergio Perez soon rose to the top for McLaren with a 01:44.258, a time which the Mexican sensation was able to improve upon greatly down to a 01:41.960. James Calado and Valtteri Bottas slotted into 2nd and 3rd position respectively, as more driver continued returning to the Korea International Circuit. James Calado suffered a minor spin at Turn 12 as the session progressed, whereas Felipe Massa was informed of a left-front puncture on his Ferrari which forced the Brazilian driver to return to the pits.

Nico Rosberg soon rose to the top for Mercedes, with the German producing a 01:41.498 for the German marque. His reign was soon brought to a conclusion by the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso, who managed to produce a 01:41.437 for the Scuderia. The times continued to tumble as the session progressed, as reigning Champion Sebastian Vettel momentarily rose to the top for Red Bull before Nico Rosberg returned to the top with a 01:40.364. The German driver continued to improve at the front for Mercedes, with a 01:40.117 as Mark Webber slotted into 2nd position for Red Bull.

As the session entered its final stages Lewis Hamilton rose to the top for Mercedes with a 01:39.630, as Nico Rosberg’s Mercedes was seemingly struck with an issue, as the German’s seat was removed from his car to allow his mechanics access to a hydraulic filling point. Whilst Nico Rosberg remained in the pit-lane, the Red Bull duo of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel began to improve out on track, resulting in Sebastian Vettel producing a 01:39.667 to go 2nd fastest and only +0.037 seconds behind Lewis Hamilton.

The opening session was brought to an explosive conclusion, as Kimi Raikkonen lost the rear of his Lotus through the final complex of corners and slammed violently into the retaining tyre barrier. The resulting incident utterly destroyed both the front and the rear of the Finn’s car, undoubtedly increasing his back issues in the process. The checkered flag was ultimately unfurled amid yellow flags, as Kimi Raikkonen walked the short distance back to the pits leaving behind a completely wrecked Lotus.

Whilst the Lotus mechanics prepared for a lengthy rebuild before practice two, Lewis Hamilton ended the opening session fastest overall for Mercedes only just ahead of the ever threatening Red Bull’s of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber. The preparations for the weekend ahead will continue later in the day, when the Formula 1 paddock returns to the Korea International Circuit for the second practice session.

Pos Driver                Team                  Time       Gap    Laps
 1. Lewis Hamilton        Mercedes              1m39.630s           20
 2. Sebastian Vettel      Red Bull-Renault      1m39.667s  +0.037s  20
 3. Mark Webber           Red Bull-Renault      1m39.816s  +0.186s  19
 4. Nico Rosberg          Mercedes              1m40.117s  +0.487s  20
 5. Jenson Button         McLaren-Mercedes      1m40.215s  +0.585s  22
 6. Fernando Alonso       Ferrari               1m40.374s  +0.744s  18
 7. Romain Grosjean       Lotus-Renault         1m40.396s  +0.766s  19
 8. Kimi Raikkonen        Lotus-Renault         1m40.677s  +1.047s  15
 9. Sergio Perez          McLaren-Mercedes      1m40.860s  +1.230s  20
10. Felipe Massa          Ferrari               1m40.880s  +1.250s  13
11. Nico Hulkenberg       Sauber-Ferrari        1m40.899s  +1.269s  20
12. Adrian Sutil          Force India-Mercedes  1m41.432s  +1.802s  18
13. Pastor Maldonado      Williams-Renault      1m41.482s  +1.852s  22
14. Esteban Gutierrez     Sauber-Ferrari        1m41.626s  +1.996s  21
15. Jean-Eric Vergne      Toro Rosso-Ferrari    1m41.924s  +2.294s  19
16. Valtteri Bottas       Williams-Renault      1m42.002s  +2.372s  20
17. Daniel Ricciardo      Toro Rosso-Ferrari    1m42.043s  +2.413s  18
18. James Calado          Force India-Mercedes  1m43.008s  +3.378s  21
19. Charles Pic           Caterham-Renault      1m43.660s  +4.030s  20
20. Giedo van der Garde   Caterham-Renault      1m43.883s  +4.253s  19
21. Max Chilton           Marussia-Cosworth     1m44.100s  +4.470s  14
22. Rodolfo Gonzalez      Marussia-Cosworth     1m46.810s  +7.180s  10

Picture Copyright © Mercedes AMG Petronas