The 2013 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix kicked off in style with Ferrari getting the best possible start in Sakhir on Friday morning when Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso ended FP1 first and second fastest.

Massa lapped his F138 in 1m 34.487s on Pirelli's orange-marked hard tyre, with Alonso 0.077s down on 1m 34.564s during the first practice session.

Right behind them, Nico Rosberg was again in strong form for Mercedes with 1m 34.621s ahead of Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull on 1m 34.790s and Paul di Resta's Force India on 1m 34.949s.

Jenson Button wasn't quite able to crack the 1m 34s barrier, taking his McLaren round in 1m 35.069s to head Mark Webber's Red Bull on 1m 35.101s, Adrian Sutil's Force India on 1m 35.119s, and the Lotuses of Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean on 1m 35.345s and 1m 35.611s.

Sergio Perez was 11th fastest for McLaren on 1m 35.640s, Valtteri Bottas's Williams 12th on 1m 35.783s and Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes 13th on 1m 35.792s.

Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniel Ricciardo were again closely matched in their Toro Rossos, with 1m 36.014s and 1m 36.485s respectively, while Pastor Maldonado hounded the Australian with 1m 36.498s in his Williams.

Sauber drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Gutierrez struggled again with 1m 36.755s and 1m 37.214s apiece.

The session was run in track temperatures that peaked at 45 degrees at the Sakhir Circuit. The practice sessions continues with the qualifying race on Saturday and the main event on Sunday.

Bahrain's Minister of State for Information Affairs and the government's official spokesperson Sameera Rajab said welcomed the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2013 saying it puts the country on the global map of motorsport.

"This event reflects growing international confidence in Bahrain," said Ms Rajab, adding that globally the country is making its mark because of its culture and media openness.

However, she condemned certain media outlets for analysing and covering the sporting event from a political and security angle.

She said the exaggeration and distorting of facts is "an attempt to create panic and frighten F1 teams, tourists, citizens and residents".

"Bahrain is secure and stable. It has a government which is a pioneer in democratic reforms."

Speaking about reports about heightened security ahead of the event, she said, "Bahrain is taking normal security measures like any other country that hosts the F1 race."

"The Bahrain International Circuit is one of the most peaceful and secure locations in the world."

She explained that over the past years Bahrain Grand Prix has generated around 1.8 billion U.S. dollars in direct revenue.

The minister said the event generates about 3,000 temporary jobs in different sectors and has attracted more than 100,000 visitors. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)