Raikkonen sets early pace at Spa

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen was fastest in the first free practice session ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, free to race after avoiding punishment by the FIA in the 'spygate' case, were second and third fastest.

Raikkonen's team-mate Felipe Massa had an early set back when he went off on his first warm-up lap at Spa.

The Brazilian approached the Rivage hairpin too fast and slid off, through the gravel trap and into the barrier.

It means Massa will be behind his rivals in terms of the time he has preparing his car, which could harm his chances of setting it up to behave to his liking.

Belgian Grand Prix first free practice times:
1. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:47.339
2. Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren-Mercedes 1:47.881
3. Fernando Alonso (Spa) McLaren-Mercedes 1:47.994
4. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:48.052
5. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-BMW 1:48.372
6. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 1:48.605
7. Alexander Wurz (Aut) Williams-BMW 1:48.920
8. Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota 1:48.994
9. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) Renault 1:49.138
10. Jenson Button (GB) Honda 1:49.330
11. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Renault 1:49.380
12. Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Toyota 1:49.548
13. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull 1:49.894
14. David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull 1:49.931
15. Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Honda 1:50.264
16. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Toro Rosso 1:50.482
17. Takuma Sato (Jap) Super Aguri F1 Team 1:50.640
18. Anthony Davidson (GB) Super Aguri F1 Team 1:50.648
19. Adrian Sutil (Ger) Spyker MF1 1:50.768
20. Vitantonio Liuzzi (Ita) Toro Rosso 1:51.628
22. Felipe Massa (Bra) Ferrari

Source: BBC Sport