Lewis Hamilton sets pace by topping first practice session at Canadian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes walks in the paddock during previews to the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit de Catalunya on May 12, 2016
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Lewis Hamilton clocks the fastest time in the first practice session of the Canadian Grand Prix as the Brit goes three tenths of a second faster than Nico Rosberg.

Reigning Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton sent out a message to his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg by storming to the top of the timesheet in the first practice session of the Canadian Grand Prix on Friday.

The Brit sped around the track on super soft tyres to clock a time of 1:14.980, while Rosberg, who has a 24-point lead over Hamilton at the top of the driver rankings, was three tenths of a second slower.

Sebastian Vettel was third quickest in the field, while his Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen was fifth, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen clocking the fourth-fastest time.

There were problems for Felipe Massa, though, as his Williams smashed into the barrier at Turn One, completely ruining the rear wing.

First practice standings:

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
3. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
5. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
6. Valtteri Bottas (Williams)
7. Nico Hulkenberg (Force India)
8. Carlos Sainz Jr (Toro Rosso)
9. Sergio Perez (Force India)
10. Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
11. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull)
12. Jenson Button (McLaren)
13. Romain Grosjean (Haas)
14. Felipe Massa (Williams)
15. Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso)
16. Esteban Gutierrez (Haas)
17. Felipe Nasr (Sauber)
18. Rio Haryanto (Manor)
19. Marcus Ericsson (Sauber)
20. Kevin Magnussen (Renault)
21. Pascal Wehrlein (Manor)
22. Jolyon Palmer (Renault)

Kimi Raikkonen of Finland and Ferrari walks across the paddock during practice for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit on April 17, 2015
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