Hamilton sets early pace in Brazil

Lewis Hamilton made the perfect start to the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend as he set the fastest time in Friday's opening free practice session.

Hamilton needs to win at Interlagos to keep the drivers' championship alive and he will be hoping he can build on his positive start to the weekend.

The Mercedes driver produced a 1:11.895 lap to end the session at the top of the timesheets with Max Verstappen taking second for Red Bull.

Current championship leader Nico Rosberg was third but he will be looking to improve in the remaining practice sessions, while Daniel Ricciardo was fourth in the second Red Bull.

Williams driver Valtteri Bottas finished fifth ahead of the Force India pair of Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg with Williams driver Felipe Massa eighth as he prepares for his final home grand prix.

It was a disappointing session for Ferrari as Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen could only finish ninth and tenth respectively.

Brazilian Grand - Practice 1 results:

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:11.895

2. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 1:11.991

3. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1:12.125

4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, 1:12.371

5. Valtteri Bottas, Williams, 1:13.129

6. Sergio Perez, Force India, 1:13.289

7. Nico Hulkenberg, Force India, 1:13.293

8. Felipe Massa, Williams, 1:13.318

9. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 1:13.567

10. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, 1:13.569

11. Carlos Sainz, Toro Rosso, 1:13.711

12. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso, 1:14.090

13. Jenson Button, McLaren, 1:14.252

14. Fernando Alonso, McLaren, 1:14.296

15. Romain Grosjean, Haas, 1:14.507

16. Felipe Nasr, Sauber, 1:14.631

17. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber, 1:14.654

18. Esteban Ocon, Manor, 1:14.827

19. Jolyon Palmer, Renault, 1:14.908

20. Pascal Wehrlein, Manor, 1:14.948

21. Charles Leclerc, Haas, 1:15.391

22. Sergey Sirotkin, Renault, 1:15.800

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