<p class="title">Lewis Hamilton set the pace for Mercedes in free practice on Friday at the Chinese Grand Prix but fierce rivals Ferrari were just a whisker behind as the teams headed for another clash in this weekend's race.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The British reigning world champion topped the time sheet with a best lap of one minute and 33.482 seconds in Shanghai, just .007 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen in windy, moist conditions.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hamilton's team-mate Valtteri Bottas was third, followed by season points leader Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The annual battle between the sport's two giants has taken on an unexpected complexion, with Mercedes anxious for a win in Shanghai on Sunday after Vettel stunned the champions with wins in both Australia and Bahrain.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A mere 0.108 seconds separated the top four in Friday's practice.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hamilton said it was "good to see all the times so close."</p>.<p class="bodytext">"But it means that we really need to bring our A game. We need everyone in the team to be on it throughout the weekend because it's a joint effort."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Added Bottas: "It's looking extremely close again with them (Ferrari) so I think tomorrow is going to be a close qualifying and for sure Sunday as well."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Both Vettel and Hamilton are chasing a fifth world title this year.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mercedes are hopeful they can get things back on track on a Shanghai circuit where Hamilton is tough to beat.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Englishman is easily the most successful driver in the 14-year history of the Chinese race with five wins, and he buoyed Mercedes hopes of a fightback by leading the pack in both of Friday's sessions.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Max Verstappen of Red Bull had to settle for fifth-fastest in practice, followed by Nico Hulkenberg driving for Renault.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Kevin Magnusson was seventh for Haas, ahead of Renault's Carlos Sainz and Verstappen's teammate Daniel Ricciardo.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Ricciardo said: "Overall, we aren't looking too bad and I hope we can be in the fight with Ferrari and Mercedes."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Two-time former world champion Fernando Alonso of McLaren rounded out the top 10.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Vettel raced to victory in Australia to open the Formula One season, following up with a tense triumph over Mercedes last weekend in Bahrain.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Ferrari have capitalised on a range of problems afflicting the champions, from software bugs to communication problems and grid penalties, but team principal Toto Wolff has vowed Mercedes will bring their "A game" in Shanghai.</p>
<p class="title">Lewis Hamilton set the pace for Mercedes in free practice on Friday at the Chinese Grand Prix but fierce rivals Ferrari were just a whisker behind as the teams headed for another clash in this weekend's race.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The British reigning world champion topped the time sheet with a best lap of one minute and 33.482 seconds in Shanghai, just .007 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen in windy, moist conditions.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hamilton's team-mate Valtteri Bottas was third, followed by season points leader Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The annual battle between the sport's two giants has taken on an unexpected complexion, with Mercedes anxious for a win in Shanghai on Sunday after Vettel stunned the champions with wins in both Australia and Bahrain.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A mere 0.108 seconds separated the top four in Friday's practice.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hamilton said it was "good to see all the times so close."</p>.<p class="bodytext">"But it means that we really need to bring our A game. We need everyone in the team to be on it throughout the weekend because it's a joint effort."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Added Bottas: "It's looking extremely close again with them (Ferrari) so I think tomorrow is going to be a close qualifying and for sure Sunday as well."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Both Vettel and Hamilton are chasing a fifth world title this year.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mercedes are hopeful they can get things back on track on a Shanghai circuit where Hamilton is tough to beat.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Englishman is easily the most successful driver in the 14-year history of the Chinese race with five wins, and he buoyed Mercedes hopes of a fightback by leading the pack in both of Friday's sessions.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Max Verstappen of Red Bull had to settle for fifth-fastest in practice, followed by Nico Hulkenberg driving for Renault.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Kevin Magnusson was seventh for Haas, ahead of Renault's Carlos Sainz and Verstappen's teammate Daniel Ricciardo.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Ricciardo said: "Overall, we aren't looking too bad and I hope we can be in the fight with Ferrari and Mercedes."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Two-time former world champion Fernando Alonso of McLaren rounded out the top 10.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Vettel raced to victory in Australia to open the Formula One season, following up with a tense triumph over Mercedes last weekend in Bahrain.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Ferrari have capitalised on a range of problems afflicting the champions, from software bugs to communication problems and grid penalties, but team principal Toto Wolff has vowed Mercedes will bring their "A game" in Shanghai.</p>