Alonso fastest in testing for Monaco GP

Spain's Fernando Alonso set the fastest lap time in a Ferrari in the first free testing session for the Monaco Grand Prix Thursday, the sixth race in the Formula One world championship.

Alonso, the former two-time world champion, clocked a time of 1min 15.927sec for the tight and twisting circuit which will host Sunday's race, finishing just ahead of German Sebastian Vettel, in a Red Bull.

Renault driver Robert Kubica of Poland was third 0.16 off Vettel's pace, with Red Bull's second driver, Australian Mark Webber, in fourth.

Championship leader Jenson Button of Britain was eighth, just behind McLaren teammate and compatriot Lewis Hamilton, while German Michael Schumacher was sixth in a Mercedes.