McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton [Picture: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes]

FORMULA 1 driver Lewis Hamilton was only eighth fastest in first practice for the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix.

Fernando Alonso set the pace for Ferrari at the Circuit de Catalunya in sunny Barcelona ahead of his home race with a lap time of 1m 24.430s.

Hertfordshire-born F1 racer Hamilton was eighth on a 1m 25.252s this morning (Friday).

His Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team-mate Jenson Button posted the fourth quickest lap of the opening session in Spain with a 1m 24.996s.

Reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel went second fastest for Red Bull during the first European practice session of the 2012 season.

McLaren tried a new nose during P1 and both drivers conducted line-of-sight tests, with Lewis’ car also featuring a diffuser rake.

The 2012 Santander Spanish Grand Prix starts at 1pm BST on Sunday.