Hockenheim, Germany, July 23: Germany's Adrian Sutil topped the times on Friday morning in a very wet opening free practice for this Sunday's German Grand Prix.
The 27-year-old Force India driver posted a time of one minute 25.701 seconds with less than four minutes remaining of the session.
Brazilian Felipe Massa of Ferrari seemed to struggle more than most with the slippery conditions at the Hockenheim track but wound up second fastest towards the end of the session as the track began to dry out.
McLaren driver Jenson Button of Britain was third fastest ahead of Brazilian Rubens Barichello of Williams. Russian Vitaly Petrov of Renault was fifth followed by Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany.
Swiss Sebastien Buemi of Toro Rosso posted the seventh quickest time ahead of German Nico Hulkenberg in the second Williams.
Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi was ninth fastest in the second Force India followed by Sauber driver Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa.
The most shocking moment of the session was seeing drivers' championship leader Lewis Hamilton of Britain struggling throughout the session in his McLaren, sliding into the wall after losing control at the exit of turn three.
The 2008 champion escaped unhurt, but there was extensive damage, in particular, to the rear of his car sporting their new rear-blown diffuser.