Hamilton sets the pace in Shanghai

Lewis Hamilton put behind him the disappointment and controversy that has dogged the start of his title defence by going fastest in first practice for this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

After winning the world championship last season, Hamilton has found himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons this year following the 'lie-gate' scandal in the season opening race in Australia.

The 24-year-old was stripped of third place in that race and then finished seventh in Malaysia to register his only point of the season so far, but - with his car sporting a revised diffuser design - Hamilton bounced back to top the timesheet with a time of one minute 37.334 seconds.

Fellow Brit Jenson Button finished 0.116 secs behind Hamilton in his Brawn GP with a time of 1:37.450, while his team-mate Rubens Barrichello was third fastest at 1:37.566.

Heikki Kovalainen, who has yet to complete a lap on raceday this season, rounded off a good session for McLaren by finishing fourth with a time of 1:37.672.

Mark Webber of Red Bull was fifth fastest, while Toyota's Jarno Trulli continued his pleasing performances this season by finishing sixth.