Updated: McLaren's Lewis Hamilton was fastest in first practice for the Chinese Grand Prix this morning.

The Briton, who has been hit with a five-place grid penalty for Sunday's race because of the need to replace the gearbox, left it late in the session to romp home quickest in one min 37.106sec to set the pace at a damp and cool Shanghai International Circuit.

Michael Schumacher set the pace in the second session with a 1:35.973, ahead of Hamilton and Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton could yet avoid the penalty if the team opts to risk still running the gearbox after using it this morning.

The race is at 9 a.m. on Sunday.

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