Sakhir, Bahrain - Felipe Massa led from world champion Kimi Raikkonen as Ferrari lived up to its top billing on Friday in the first practice session for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix.

The Brazilian Massa clocked 1 minute 32.233 seconds for the 5.412- kilometres lap in Sakhir, with Finland's Raikkonen close behind on 1:32.350.

Nico Rosberg of Germany was third in a Williams on 1:32.415, finishing ahead of the McLaren-Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton (1:32.705) and Heikki Kovalainen (1:32.868).

Briton Hamilton leads the drivers standings after two season races with 14 points from Raikkonen and German BMW driver Nick Heidfeld, who have 11 points each.

Massa will be boosted by the Friday morning result as he failed to finish due to errors in the first two races. He won in Bahrain last year ahead of Hamilton and Raikkonen.

Another practice session was set for later Friday, qualifying is on Saturday and the race over 57 laps on Sunday. The Bahrain track is said to favour Ferrari over Mclaren-Mercedes. (dpa)