Brazilian Felipe Massa set the pace for Formula One champions Ferrari, who dominated the first free practice at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Friday.

Massa, winner from pole position in Bahrain last year but still without a point after retiring from both of the season's races so far, lapped the dusty Sakhir circuit in one minute 32.233 seconds.

World champion team mate Kimi Raikkonen, winner of the previous race in Malaysia, followed Massa on the timesheets with a lap 0.117 seconds slower.

Germany's Nico Rosberg posted the third best time for Williams with championship leader Lewis Hamilton fourth fastest for McLaren ahead of Finnish team mate Heikki Kovalainen.

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