Adrian Sutil topped the times for Friday’s first practice, followed by the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso.
It was clear drivers weren’t pushing the cars, but rather getting a feel for the track and car’s handling in the very first practice session of the season.
Lotus managed to get out early, followed by Virgin. As expected the three new teams bought up the rear of the times. Hispania turned it’s first corner over an hour into the session when Bruno Senna went out on track.
The second Hispania car of Karun Chandhok didn’t make it out in the first session, but is expected later today.
Times for Friday practice one:
| 01 | A. Sutil | Force India | 1:56.583 | 18 |
| 02 | F. Alonso | Ferrari | 1:56.766 | 18 |
| 03 | R. Kubica | Renault | 1:57.041 | 19 |
| 04 | F. Massa | Ferrari | 1:57.055 | 19 |
| 05 | J. Button | McLaren | 1:57.068 | 19 |
| 06 | L. Hamilton | McLaren | 1:57.163 | 19 |
| 07 | V. Liuzzi | Force India | 1:57.194 | 19 |
| 08 | N. Rosberg | Mercedes | 1:57.199 | 15 |
| 09 | M. Webber | Red Bull | 1:57.255 | 17 |
| 10 | M. Schumacher | Mercedes | 1:57.662 | 16 |
| 11 | J. Alguersuari | Toro Rosso | 1:57.722 | 18 |
| 12 | N. Hulkenberg | Williams | 1:57.894 | 20 |
| 13 | S. Vettel | Red Bull | 1:57.943 | 17 |
| 14 | S. Buemi | Toro Rosso | 1:58.399 | 13 |
| 15 | R. Barrichello | Williams | 1:58.782 | 11 |
| 16 | V. Petrov | Renault | 1:58.880 | 13 |
| 17 | P. de la Rosa | Sauber | 2:00.250 | 18 |
| 18 | K. Kobayashi | Sauber | 2:01.388 | 11 |
| 19 | T. Glock | Lotus | 2:03.680 | 8 |
| 20 | H. Kovalainen | Lotus | 2.03.848 | 21 |
| 21 | J. Trulli | Virgin | 2.03.970 | 15 |
| 22 | L. di Grassi | Virgin | No Time | 2 |
| 23 | B. Senna | Hispania | No Time | 3 |
| 24 | K. Chandhok | Hispania | No Time | 0 |
