Manama: Brazilian Felipe Massa set the pace for Formula One champions Ferrari, dominating the first free practice at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Friday.

Massa lapped the dusty Sakhir circuit in one minute 32.233 seconds.

World champion team mate Kimi Raikkonen followed Massa on the timesheets with a lap 0.117 seconds slower.

Germany's Nico Rosberg posted the third best time for Williams with championship leader Lewis Hamilton fourth fastest for McLaren.