SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium -- Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen edged Lewis Hamilton by 0.053s to top the opening practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix.
The Finn, who this week was handed a contract extension into 2018, turned in a late 1:45.502 on the ultra-soft tyre to lead the session when the clock expired. Though it put him marginally ahead of Hamilton, the Mercedes driver set his quickest time on the soft tyre -- the hardest compound in Pirelli's range -- and still managed to split the best times Ferrari set on the quickest ultra-soft.
Hamilton spent much of the session on the soft tyre, which is unlikely to be used during Sunday's race, after running the Halo early in the session.