Fernando Alonso is holding his breath as to whether or not Ferrari’s significant upgrades will allow for drastic changes in Barcelona this weekend. In first practice on Friday morning, one of the exercises was a comparison of front wings, with Alonso running the older specification whereas Felipe Massa trialled a new version.

Sebastian Vettel has shared his opinion on the recent Pirelli tyre criticisms of German compatriot Michael Schumacher. On two occasions since Bahrain’s race, the seven-time World Champion has appeared to hit out of the tyres, claiming they should last for longer following a frustrating drive from the back of the grid last time out.

Fernando Alonso set Spanish hearts racing here in Barcelona on Friday morning by taking his Ferrari to the fastest time in the first practice session, nearly fourth-tenths of a second clear of Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull. Alonso lapped in 1m 24.430s, Vettel in 1m 24.808s, but Kamui Kobayashi and Jenson Button were close, with 1m 24.912s and 1m 24.996s for Sauber and McLaren respectively

Fernando Alonso sets the pace from Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull in first practice for Spanish Grand Prix.

Full times from today's first free practice session for the 2012 Gran Premio de Espana Santander.

Fernando Alonso has topped the timesheets in Friday morning’s first practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix. On a beautiful morning at the Circuit de Catalunya, the Ferrari driver led Sebastian Vettel and Kamui Kobayashi as no less than four reserve drivers took part over the course of 90 minutes.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso tops the timesheets in the opening practice session at Barcelona, ahead of Vettel, Kobayashi, Button, Bottas and Schumacher.

In the build-up to this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, McLaren's Lewis Hamilton says he won't be treating the event any differently even if it does start the first European leg of the 2012 championship. “It's the same as any other race. To come into the European season and have high expectations is the wrong way to approach it in my opinion