SHANGHAI, April 12 (Reuters) - Sebastian Vettel went fastest for Ferrari in Friday’s opening practice session for the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix.
Charles Leclerc, who was denied a maiden win by engine trouble some 10 laps from the end at the last race in Bahrain, was third, 0.256 seconds off his Ferrari team-mate’s pace.
Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix will be the 1000th Formula One world championship race.
Hamilton, who trails team-mate Bottas by one point in the standings with the Mercedes pair finishing one-two in each of the season’s two races so far, is the most successful driver around the 5.4-km circuit.