Posted 02.05.2012 06:37:18 UTC
Updated 02.05.2012 06:37:18 UTC
Alonso clocked 1 minute, 22.444 seconds around the Mugello circuit, a significant 1.204 seconds faster than Mark Webber of Red Bull. Jean-Eric Vergne of Toro Rosso was third fastest, 1.447 back.
The session began in wet conditions then slowly dried out. Another session is scheduled for the afternoon, followed by more testing Wednesday and Thursday, when Red Bull's reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel is slated to take to the track. Of the 12 F1 teams, only HRT is not taking part in the tests.
The next race is the Spanish Grand Prix on May 13.
AP