Alonso's Ferrari sets fastest lap in damp practice at Canadian Grand Prix

MONTREAL – Fernando Alonso had to the quickest practice lap in his Ferrari on Friday ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.

The Spanish driver clocked 1 minute, 14:818 seconds on a damp day at the 2-mile Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Lewis Hamilton was second fastest in his Mercedes at 1:14.831. Romain Grosjean's Lotus was third in 1:15.083, followed by Mark Webber's Red Bull (1:15.212) and Nico Rosberg's Mercedes (1:15.249).

Times were about 7 seconds faster than in the morning practice, when Paul Di Resta of the Force India team led in 1:21.020.

The day started on a wet track from overnight rain, but by the afternoon it was dry until a few drops fell with 15 minutes left. That allowed Alonso's time to hold up just when drivers usually post their fastest times.

The conditions created some slipping and sliding, including a near crash between Webber and Grosjean. Kimi Raikkonen's Lotus also went for a slide.

Teams will have a practice Saturday morning before the qualifying session. The race is Sunday.