Lewis Hamilton topped the opening practice session for this weekend's Mexico Grand Prix, leading the Ferrari duo of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen.
Hamilton's lap time of One minute 20.914 seconds was only four tenths of a second slower than last year's fastest race lap, highlighting the increased grip that was expected this year, with the 2015 race taking place not long after the track was re-laid.
Sebastian Vettel was second, less than a tenth of a second behind Hamilton, with Kimi Raikkonen a little further behind, 0.158 seconds behind the pacesetting Mercedes.
Sergio Perez, who earlier this week rules out his chances of a podium finish this weekend, was a fine fourth on home soil, one spot ahead of team mate Nico Hulkenberg.
Valtteri Bottas was sixth, ahead of championship leader Nico Rosberg in seventh, while Daniel Ricciardo, Felipe Massa, and Daniil Kvyat completed the top 10.
Romain Grosjean was just under three tenths of a second off Kvyat in 11th, Carlos Sainz was 12th fastest, with Marcus Ericsson and Max Verstappen behind him.
Verstappen had to miss the second half of the session after a break fire caused damage to his wiring loom, although the damage will be fixed before second practice.
The second Mexican in the field, Esteban Gutierrez, was 15th, ahead of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Nasr - who caused the session's only red falg after his front wing failed spectacularly following a trip over the high curbs.
Jenson Button, Kevin Magnussen, Esteban Ocon, Jolyon Palmer, and Pascal Wehrlein rounded out the field.
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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