<p>Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton posted the fastest time Friday in the first practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix.</p>.<p>The Mercedes driver was 45 seconds quicker than teammate Valtteri Bottas and .97 seconds ahead of Racing Point driver Sergio Perez on the 5.4-kilometre (3.3-mile) desert track.</p>.<p>Hamilton won his seventh title at the Turkish GP two weeks ago to equal Michael Schumacher's F1 record.</p>.<p>Ferrari struggled, with Charles Leclerc only 11th fastest and four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel 12th quickest. Leclerc took his first pole position in Bahrain last year.</p>.<p>Romain Grosjean damaged the tires on his Haas car after going off the circuit and over some gravel.</p>.<p>A second practice later Friday will be held under floodlights. </p>
<p>Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton posted the fastest time Friday in the first practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix.</p>.<p>The Mercedes driver was 45 seconds quicker than teammate Valtteri Bottas and .97 seconds ahead of Racing Point driver Sergio Perez on the 5.4-kilometre (3.3-mile) desert track.</p>.<p>Hamilton won his seventh title at the Turkish GP two weeks ago to equal Michael Schumacher's F1 record.</p>.<p>Ferrari struggled, with Charles Leclerc only 11th fastest and four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel 12th quickest. Leclerc took his first pole position in Bahrain last year.</p>.<p>Romain Grosjean damaged the tires on his Haas car after going off the circuit and over some gravel.</p>.<p>A second practice later Friday will be held under floodlights. </p>