Hamilton fastest in first practice

22 May 2015 08:50

Lewis Hamilton clocked the quickest time in the first free practice session of the Monaco Grand Prix, although compatriot Jenson Button endured a more frustrating morning.

The reigning Formula One world champion spoke of his desire to achieve a "perfect weekend" on Wednesday after signing a lucrative, three-year deal with Mercedes.

Things certainly started strongly for Hamilton, with his time of one minute 18.750 seconds seeing him finish top of the timesheet, while team-mate Nico Rosberg came in ninth, just over a second off the pace.

Toro Rosso's Max Verstappen placed second, 0.149secs behind Hamilton, after an impressive end to his first ever session around Monaco, while Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull finished third.

Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari came home fourth ahead of Pastor Maldonado, Carlos Sainz and Daniil Kvyat of Lotus, Toro Rosso and Red Bull, respectively.

Kimi Raikkonen endured a tough time as his Ferrari came in eighth, with Rosberg and Felipe Massa of Williams rounding out the top 10.

Fernando Alonso was 11th ahead of McLaren team-mate Button, who endured a tough morning as the team's struggles continued.

The most successful constructor in the history of the Monaco Grand Prix have yet to pick up a point this season and the Briton had to wait just over 50 minutes to eventually get on the track.

Button was last out onto the principality's famous street circuit and, despite only managing 15 laps, managed to clock the 12th fastest time.

Lotus' Romain Grosjean followed him, ahead of the Force India pair of Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg.

The Sauber duo Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson finished either side of Williams' Valtteri Bottas, while the Manor pair of Will Stevens and Roberto Merhi filled the bottom two places.

Source: PA