Alonso sets the pace

World champion Fernando Alonso struck the first psychological blow at the Canadian Grand Prix by clocking the fastest lap time during the opening practice session in Montreal.

The Spaniard was two tenths of a second faster than rookie team-mate Lewis Hamilton as, once again, the McLaren team outpaced their main rivals.

Ferrari duo Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa were third and fourth fastest respectively.

Best of the rest was the Red Bull of Australian Mark Webber, who turned in his quickest lap in the closing minutes to edge Giancarlo Fisichella's Renault into sixth.

Nick Heidfeld of BMW Sauber was seventh fastest, Ralf Schumacher's Toyota eighth and the Red Bull of David Coulthard was ninth.