Hamilton fastest in opening practice session

Mclaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton was the fastest in the opening practice session of the inaugural Formula One Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International circuit.

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The 2008 world champion clocked 1 min 26.836 sec with his final run as he went past Red Bull's newly re-crowned world champion Sebastian Vettel and his teammate Mark Webber of Australia.

Another McLaren driver Jenson Button finished fourth followed by the seven-time title winner Michael Schumacher in his Mercedes.

Schumacher's teammate Nico Rosberg was sixth fastest, even as Felipe Massa of Ferrari stood seventh.

Sahara Force India's Adrian Sutil gave the local public a reason to cheer as he was eighth fastest followed by Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi and Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi who completed the top-ten list.

However, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso became the major casualty in the opening session after he suffered a power-drive failure on the dusty track of the Buddh International Circuit and had to stop his car on a service road.

Apart from Alonso, many others also ran off the track as they struggled for a grip on the dusty circuit. Toro Rosso's Jaime Alguersuari spanned into the barriers, while Pastor Maldonado's Williams car started spewing smoke after an engine failure, which forced him out of the session.

The first ever session also had a halt as a stray dog ran onto the track, causing a five-minute delay.

The 90-minute second practice session will start at 2:00 pm IST.