Ferrari No.2 fastest in first Magny Cours session

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa dominated Friday morning at the French Grand Prix. The Brazilian set the pace at Magny-Cours with a lap of 1:15.306, some 0.696 seconds quicker than second-placed Lewis Hamilton - both McLarens struggled for grip on a mild, partly sunny morning in central France.

Hamilton’s team-mate Heikki Kovalainen was third fastest, ahead of world champion Kimi Raikkonen.

Full times below:

1. Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 1min 15.306 seconds
2. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 1:16.002
3. Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) 1:16.055

4. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) 1:16.073
5. Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber) 1:16.377
6. Fernando Alonso (Renault) 1:16.400
7. Jarno Trulli (Toyota) 1:16.758
8. Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso) 1:16.838
9. Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber) 1:16.870
10. Timo Glock (Toyota) 1:16.886

11. Nelson Piquet Jr (Renault) 1:17.063
12. David Coulthard (Red Bull) 1:17.234
13. Mark Webber (Red Bull) 1:17.269
14. Nico Rosberg (Williams) 1:17.394
15. Rubens Barrichello (Honda) 1:17.491
16. Sebastien Bourdais (Toro Rosso) 1:17.683
17. Kazuki Nakajima (Williams) 1:17.696
18. Jenson Button (Honda) 1:17.928
19. Giancarlo Fisichella (Force India) 1:18.072
20. Adrian Sutil (Force India) 1:18.673

WINNERS Ferrari already look a good half second quicker than the field, and Massa looks a good bet to score his second consecutive French pole; Raikkonen will only get faster. Fernando Alonso will be content with sixth, while Sebastian Vettel’s stock continues to rise - his eighth place is most impressive.

LOSERS McLaren are set for a difficult weekend, although at least Kovalainen could get amongst the Ferraris in qualifying. The chances of Lewis Hamilton getting on the podium look slimmer now. Williams will be mystified by their lack of pace. Honda also had a poor morning.