Hamilton fastest in opening test session

BMW Sauber8217;s Robert Kubica, Williams8217; Kazuki Nakajima, BMW8217;s Nick Heidfeld and Renault8217;s Nelson Piquet Jr. all finished under 1:20.

Hamilton, the first black driver in Formula One, was jeered and insulted when he moved between the McLaren motorhome and the team8217;s garage at the Montmelo circuit in Barcelona on Feb. 2.

Motor sport8217;s governing body 8212; FIA 8212; said this could result in sanctions. Under FIA8217;s statutes, punishment can include removing races from the Grand Prix calendar. The Spanish Grand Prix is scheduled for April 27 at the Montmelo circuit and the European GP is at Valencia on Aug. 24.

Hamilton was widely blamed in Spain for Fernando Alonso8217;s failure to clinch a third straight F1 championship last season after joining McLaren from Renault. Alonso has since returned to Renault.

Sepang night race

Considering huge revenue prospects of Formula One racing, Malaysia8217;s Sepang may become the second F1 circuit after Singapore8217;s Singtel GP to hold night racing from next year. Installation of lights are on to make the venue night racing friendly, New Straits Times reported here today.

8220;Preparations are on the right track. We are studying and looking for the best system as there is no one single lighting technology that can fit all the tracks,8221; Sepang International Circuit SIC Chairman Mokhzani Mahathir said.

8220;We have come to the conclusion that it will help generating bigger revenue as the circuit can be rented for night racing,8221; he added.

Singapore8217;s Singtel Grand Prix, to be held from September 26 to 28, is set to become first-ever night racing in the F1 history.