Ferrari's Massa raced around the Sepang track in 1:34.972 to claim first place in the practice session ahead of reigning F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso who was 0.248 seconds behind.

McLaren youngster Lewis Hamilton demonstrated his natural talent by coming in third ahead of Ferrari's Melbourne Grand prix winner Kimi Raikkonen who came in fourth as Nic Rosberg finished the practice run fifth.

It was also a good session for Australia's Red Bull-Renault driver, Mark Webber, who put his disappointing end to the Australian Grand Prix behind him by finishing the first round of practice in sixth with 1:36.522.

Malaysian Grand Prix First Practice Session

01 F. Massa Ferrari 1:34.972 17 laps
02 F. Alonso McLaren 1:35.220 24 laps
03 L. Hamilton McLaren 1:35.712 22 laps
04 K. Räikkönen Ferrari 1:35.779 20 laps
05 N. Rosberg Williams 1:36.308 21 laps
06 M. Webber Red Bull 1:36.522 20 laps
07 J. Trulli Toyota 1:36.597 25 laps
08 K. Nakajima Williams 1:36.885 15 laps
09 R. Schumacher Toyota 1:37.052 22 laps
10 R. Kubica BMW 1:37.121 12 laps
11 D. Coulthard Red Bull 1:37.484 7 laps
12 S. Vettel BMW 1:37.837 39 laps
13 V. Liuzzi Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:37.882 20 laps
14 H. Kovalainen Renault 1:38.143 24 laps
15 G. Fisichella Renault 1:38.300 26 laps
16 A. Sutil Spyker F1 1:38.720 29 laps
17 T. Sato Super Aguri 1:38.966 10 laps
18 S. Speed Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:39.130 9 laps
19 R. Barrichello Honda 1:39.234 21 laps
20 J. Button Honda 1:39.331 17 laps
21 A. Davidson Super Aguri 1:39.357 9 laps
22 C. Albers Spyker F1 1:40.074 25 laps

Sportal