YEONGAM, South Jeolla Province — Lewis Hamilton of McLaren set the fastest time on Friday after the opening practice session for the Korean Grand Prix.

Driving in wet conditions, Hamilton clocked a time of 1 minute 50.828 seconds to finish ahead of his team mate Jenson Button by 0.104 seconds.

Reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel, who struggled to find his rhythm, was third-fastest with 1:52.646. 

And defending Korean Grand Prix champion Fernando Alonso was fourth for Ferrari with 1:52.774.

Jaime Alguersuari of Toro Rosso, who collided with Nico Rosberg of Mercedes, managed to finish sixth, behind the Red Bull‘s Mark Webber, with Ferrari’s Felipe Massa seventh and Rosberg eighth.

On the first day of the Korean Grand Prix, the rain dominated the day.

And while most of the drivers struggled to find their grip, veteran driver Michael Schumacher of Mercedes set the fastest time in the morning practice session, only to end up in the 14th in the afternoon, when a drier racing line had begun to appear around the track.

Though the two McLaren drivers showed good early pace, it is still too early to tell who is the favorite in this year’s Korean Grand Prix, but it looks like Vettel could face a fierce challenge on Sunday. 

By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@heraldcorp.com)