Shanghai: Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher topped the timesheets in Friday's second practice session for the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix. Schumacher's best lap put him ahead of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and the Red Bull pair of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.
Nico Rosberg of Mercedes was fifth fastest, finishing ahead of McLaren's Jenson Button and Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi. Force India's Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg, then Ferrari's Fernando Alonso rounded out the top ten. In the third year of his comeback, Schumacher has yet to record a pole position or a podium finish, but Friday's performance indicated potential for a strong qualifying performance.
Earlier, Hamilton set the fastest time in the first practice session in misty and damp conditions. With early drivers struggling on the slippery track, the best times were not set until the top drivers were able to use slick dry-weather tyres late in the session. Hamilton was a full second faster than Rosberg in second and Schumacher in third.
Hamilton, the defending champion in Shanghai, set pole in the opening two races of the season but will suffer a five-place grid penalty in China for changing his gearbox. The third practice session will take place on Saturday before the qualifying.
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