Hamilton sets the pace

Hamilton is a man under pressure in the wake of his first-corner mistake in last Sunday's race in Japan, which has since attracted a raft of criticism from drivers past and present.

But as if to prove the adverse reaction to what has unfolded has had no effect, Hamilton drove his McLaren to top spot in each of the two 90-minute sessions at the Shanghai International Circuit.

It was the first time Hamilton has been out in front in both of Friday's practice runs since the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim in July when he also chalked up his last win.

His hottest lap was set late in the first session as he clocked one minute 35.630 seconds for the 5.451km track, whilst the 23-year-old was 0.120secs slower in the second session.

Hamilton was comfortably quickest on both occasions, beating Massa into second by 0.390secs after the duo had traded fastest laps in the first session, and then Renault's Fernando Alonso by 0.274secs in the second.

It was a typical second practice with the cars running on different fuel loads compared to the first, with a number of drivers then going with a late splash and dash.

Such a scenario elevated Alonso into second, with team-mate Nelson Piquet third ahead of Toyota's Jarno Trulli and Mark Webber in his Red Bull.

Massa was sixth, 0.730secs adrift, followed by Sebastien Bourdais in his Toro Rosso, which he spun into the gravel with 15 minutes of the session remaining.

Raikkonen, who spun in both sessions before recovering, the BMW Sauber of Nick Heidfeld and Nico Rosberg in his Williams rounded out the top 10.