It was a wet start to the weekend as the Shanghai International Circuit roared with the sound of engines - albeit only briefly. The wet practice session saw only a few laps completed by each driver, with test programmes shortened for the morning as the conditions hampered running. Despite the rain, it was a morning for third drivers to get a chance behind the wheel with Valtteri Bottas returning for Williams and Jules Bianchi in for Force India. Caterham also gave Giedo van der Garde a few laps as well. It was Lewis Hamilton who topped the times, whilst Lotus driver Kimi Räikkönen sat at the other end of the timesheets.