The leader of the drivers' standings set a time of 1 min 19 sec 828/1000 on soft tires to edge only his team-mate, Spaniard Carlos Sainz by 79/1000 and his rival in the championship, the champion of the world title Dutch Max Verstappen.
The Briton George Russell (Mercedes) and the Spaniard Fernando Alonso (Alpine) complete the Top 5, ahead of the seven-time champion of the discipline, the Briton Lewis Hamiton (Mercedes), 6th.
The French Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) and Esteban Ocon (Alpine) set the 8th and 11th times respectively.
This first practice session was also an opportunity for several young drivers to take to the track in place of the holders, the teams now being required to run them at least twice a season, during free practice.
The reigning Formula E world champion, the Dutchman Nyck de Vries, 18th in the session, replaced the Thai Alexander Albon at Williams.
At Red Bull, the Mexican Sergio Pérez left his seat to the Estonian Jüri Vips, 20th and last in the session.
The Polish Robert Kubica, 37 and reserve driver at Alfa Romeo, replaced the Chinese Zhou Guanyu but he is not affected by this rule.
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© 2022 AFP