Practice 1 Report - Hamilton quickest in first Korean practice

Lewis Hamilton's McLaren (1:39.148) topped the first session of free practice for the Korean Grand Prix, the team hopeful that he will return to full competitiveness this weekend after a troubled race in Japan last weekend.

A rear suspension issue is understood to have been the reason behind Hamilton's handling difficulties at Suzuka and he comes to Korea determined to keep his outside hopes of a championship challenge alive.

Fernando Alonso's Ferrari (1:39.450) set second quickest time as Ferrari tried out different rear wings, with Mark Webber (1:39.575) third for Red Bull.

Felipe Massa (1:39.854) still battling to hang onto his Ferrari drive, set fourth fastest lap (1:39.854), from Sebastian Vettel (1:40.088) and then the two Mercedes of Michael Schumacher (1:40.221) and Nico Rosberg (1:40.396). Rosberg is currently being investigated by the stewards -- which include Martin Donnelly as the driver representative -- for impeding.

Romain Grosjean (1:40.422), under pressure after another first lap incident in Suzuka, put the first Lotus eighth, the E20 running a Coanda-effect exhaust for the first time. Paul Di Resta (1:40.440) and Jenson Button (1:40.480) completed the top 10.