New Force India test driver Nico Hulkenberg was the first out on track followed by McLaren's Gary Paffett. Both drivers, though, were using last year's cars as their team's new challengers won't be launched until later in the morning.Fernando Alonso therefore had the honour of being the first to display his team's new car as he took the track in Ferrari's F150.
His run was, according to reports, short-lived as the Spaniard suffered an apparent technical problem within the first hour. Alonso, though, was able to get his car, which had the rear covered in flow-paint, back to the garage.
Soon back on track, the double World Champion climbed to the top of the timesheets with a 1:15.371.
Defending World Champion Sebastian Vettel and Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi both hit the track in their 2011 challengers while Vitaly Petrov debuted Renault's new R31 before Rubens Barrichello ventured out in his FW33.
Unofficial Times
1. Alonso Ferrari F15 01:15.371 8 laps
2. Hulkenberg Force India VJM-03 1:15.948 + 0.577 12 laps
3. D'Ambrosio Virgin MVR-01 1:17.991 + 2.62 14 laps
4. Barrichello Williams FW33 1:24.424 + 9.053 4 laps
5. Paffett McLaren MP4-25 1:30.471 + 15.100 4 laps
Source: Planet-F1
