Greater Noida, Oct 28 (IANS): McLaren's Lewis Hamilton clocked the fastest lap in the first practice of the inaugural Indian Grand Prix here Friday.

However, he along with Sauber's Sergio Perez was later given a three-place grid penalty for the Sunday's race for not slowing down at the required pace when the yellow flags were raised at the end of the session.

India's Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chanhdok made the most of the 90-minute session, doing 30 and 24 laps on a dusty surface where all drivers struggled to the grip on their tyres. Karthikeyan recorded 1:34.113 while Chandhok managed 1:32.487.

Hamilton set his best time of 1 minute 26.836 seconds in his last lap before being penalized by the FIA stewards. Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber were second and third fastest, clocking 1:27.416 and 1:27.428.

"Hamilton ignored double waved yellow flags at turn 16 whilst marshals were in close proximity to the track," explained the FIA in a release. The penalties were handed to Hamilton and Perez after they were found violating the rules while Pastor Maldonado stalled his Williams at turn 16.

The timings of the session do not mean much as drivers focused on getting familiar with the brand new circuit.