Rosberg edges Hamilton as Mercedes dominates in Bahrain

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Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany, right, plays small table tennis during an interview at the Formula One Bahrain International Circuit, in Sakhir, Bahrain, Thursday, March 31, 2016. The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

SAKHIR, Bahrain (AP) — Nico Rosberg edged Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton in another dominant display by Formula One's top team in Friday's opening practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Rosberg, who has won the past four races dating back to last season, set a time of 1 minute, 32.294 seconds at the Sakhir circuit, half a second faster than Hamilton and a surprising 1.8 seconds faster than third-place Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari.

Following a 1-2 finish in the opening race in Australia, Mercedes remains a cut above its opposition, with Rosberg's lap time being 5.5 seconds faster than last year's opening practice session.

Red Bull drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat were fourth and fifth fastest, respectively, ahead of Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg.

Toro Rosso pair Carlos Sainz Jr. and Max Verstappen were seventh and eighth, followed by Haas driver Romain Grosjean and Williams driver Felipe Massa.

Belgian driver Stoffel Vandoorne, who is filling in for the injured Fernando Alonso this weekend, was 18th fastest, within a second of McLaren teammate Jenson Button.

Force India reserve driver Alfonso Celis of Mexico also got his first taste of F1 and was 21st, 2.7 seconds off teammate Hulkenberg's time.