Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany drives his car during the first practice session at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium, Friday, Aug. 21, 2015. The Belgium Formula One Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium — Nico Rosberg edged Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton in the first practice session on Friday for the Belgian Grand Prix.
Hamilton leads Rosberg by 21 points in the Formula One drivers’ standing. Both Mercedes cars underperformed in the final race before the summer break in Hungary.
Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo was a close third, while Ferrari drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel were next.
Rosberg nipped Hamilton by 0.242 seconds, and all top five finishers were inside a second, as well as Daniil Kvyat in the second Red Bull.
Pastor Maldonaldo crashed his Lotus coming out of a turn and lost his front right wheel but was not hurt.
Ferrari hopes to celebrate its 900th Grand Prix with a victory, after Vettel’s win in Hungary.