Hamilton upstages Alonso in first Spanish practice

BARCELONA, May 11 (Reuters) British rookie Lewis Hamilton upstaged McLaren team mate Fernando Alonso in first free practice for the Spaniard's home grand prix today.

Hamilton, the first driver in the 58-year history of the sport to finish his first three races on the podium, lapped the Circuit de Catalunya in 1:21.880 with two-time world champion Alonso second quickest in 1:22.268.

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, watched by seven-times champion Michael Schumacher on the German's first visit to a grand prix since his retirement in October, was third fastest and 0.411 slower than Hamilton.

Alonso, Raikkonen and Hamilton are all level on 22 points at the top of the standings after three races.

Alonso won in Spain last year with Renault but faces a stiffer challenge this year from an astonishing team mate already hailed as a future champion and eyeing his first victory.

Poland's Robert Kubica, in a BMW Sauber, was fourth fastest with Ferrari's Brazilian Felipe Massa fifth in a sign that the order established after the three long-haul races remained unchanged. Massa won the last race in Bahrain.

Briton Anthony Davidson, in a Honda-powered Super Aguri, was a surprising sixth quickest ahead of the Toyotas of Italian Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher.

REUTERS AKD KP1619