Sebastian Vettel backs up pre-race optimism as he leads Ferrari one-two in German GP practice at Hockenheim

The four-time world champion fastest in first 90-minute session ahead of Charles Leclerc

Sebastian Vettel runs wide during first practice for the German Grand Prix, but still set the fastest time. Getty

Sebastian Vettel had spoken of optimism on Thursday that Ferrari could spring a surprise in Germany and end their winless start to 2019.

The four-time world champion backed up those words on Friday as he set the fastest time in first practice for the German Grand Prix.

The German, who has never won in Hockenheim in seven previous attempts, set the pace with a time of 1 minute, 14.013 seconds.

That was 0.255 secs faster then teammate Charles Leclerc as the Italian team took an one-two in the session.

Neither Vettel or Leclerc have stood on the top step of the podium in 2019, but both men have had good chances, with mistakes, car unreliability and strategy errors.

It is their worst start to a season since 2016, a year in which they went winless.

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton, who is bidding for a sixth world title, was third - 0.302 secs off the pace of Vettel.

Ominously for Ferrari, Hamilton and his Mercedes-GP teammate Valtteri Bottas, who was fifth, both set their times on the medium tyre.

Ferrari set their times on the soft tyre and will be aware Mercedes have more pace to come, although Bottas gave them a scare in the closing minutes as he spun off, although the Finn avoided the tyre barriers.

Max Verstappen was fourth for Red Bull Racing, with teammate Pierre Gasly in sixth.

Second practice is at 5pm, with qualifying at 5pm on Saturday.

The 67-lap race on Sunday starts at 5.10pm.