Reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton headed a Mercedes 1-2 as Formula 1 action returned to France on Friday lunchtime after a decade-long absence.
The French Grand Prix is being held for the first time since 2008 this weekend, with venue Paul Ricard returning to the schedule after a 28-year absence.
Hamilton posted a best time of 1:32.231 on Pirelli’s Ultrasoft tyres to finish 0.140s clear of team-mate Valtteri Bottas in typically warm and sunny conditions in Southern France.
Hamilton’s session was far from straightforward, though, as he had a scare during the early stages when he had to take to the run-off to avoid hitting Stoffel Vandoorne at the chicane.
Both Mercedes drivers, along with customers Force India and Williams ran with a fresh Turbocharger, MGU-H and Internal Combustion Engine.
However, the team has yet to confirm whether these fresh components are PU1 or PU2 specification, after the update intended for the Canadian Grand Prix was delayed.
Daniel Ricciardo was the only driver to get close to the Mercedes pair, finishing 0.296s behind Hamilton, as Ferrari duo Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel took fourth and fifth.
Raikkonen was 0.772s down on Hamilton while Vettel was 0.941s behind.
Raikkonen was one of several drivers to get caught out by the tricky right-hander of Sainte Baume, spinning into the run-off, a fate that also befell Vandoorne, Brendon Hartley and Esteban Ocon.
The only driver to suffer serious drama was Marcus Ericsson, as he crashed out during the final few minutes of the session, leading to its premature end.
Ericsson spun through Beausset and hit the barriers, with the impact triggering a fire, the consequences of which caused substantial damage to the right-rear of his C37.
Ericsson was able to walk away from the wreckage.
Romain Grosjean’s preparations for his home Grand Prix began positively as he took sixth position for Haas, with compatriot Pierre Gasly eighth, the pair split by Max Verstappen.
Gasly has been referred to the stewards over using the set of tyres allocated for the first 40 minutes beyond the allotted time frame.
Sergio Perez and Kevin Magnussen rounded out the top 10 for Force India and Haas respectively, the duo having come close to making contact through Virage de l’Hotel while the Mexican was on a hot lap.
Carlos Sainz Jr. was the lead Renault driver in 11th position, ahead of local representative Ocon, while Charles Leclerc took 13th spot, having spun twice during the session.
Ericsson classified 14th prior to his fiery accident, with Brendon Hartley taking 15th for Toro Rosso, ahead of Fernando Alonso, as McLaren’s struggles continued.
Lance Stroll, Nico Hulkenberg, Vandoorne and Sergey Sirotkin completed the field.
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