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Friday 15 March 2013

Melbourne: Friday first Practice 15th March 2013


Reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel set the pace during the opening practice session of the 2013 season in Melbourne on Friday, posting a time of 1:27.211 on his Medium tyre allocation. The Red Bull driver led Ferrari rival Felipe Massa by 0.078 seconds, while Fernando Alonso completed the top three.

Mark Webber, Red Bull, 2013 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, Formula 1
Mark Webber 

After weeks of speculation about the pre-season tests at Jerez and Barcelona, the drivers were eager to sample their new machinery in race weekend conditions. Temperatures were much hotter than at the trio of gatherings in Spain, but it still took half an hour for the first time to be posted. This came from Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo, who remained fastest until team-mate Jean-Eric Vergne edged ahead.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes Grand Prix, 2013 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton

Behind the quickest three drivers, Lewis Hamilton looked instantly comfortable behind the wheel of the Mercedes en route to fourth place, with home favourite Mark Webber a little further back. 

Kimi Räikkönen, Lotus Renault, 2013 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, Formula 1
Kimi Raikkonan

Kimi Räikkönen was next up in sixth, just ahead of Nico Rosberg and Adrian Sutil, while McLaren's Jenson Button and Romain Grosjean rounded out the top ten positions.Following a series of pace-setting laps from Kimi Räikkönen, Massa and Alonso, Vettel embarked upon his personal best run at the perfect time. 

Daniel Ricciardo, Scuderia Toro Rosso, 2013 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, Formula 1
Daniel  Ricciardo

The German avoided the early graining on a dirty track surface to make full use of the single set of Medium tyres permitted during the first 90 minutes of practice, subsequently easing speculation that Red Bull's RB9 chassis is significantly off the pace heading into Sunday's Grand Prix.

Mark Webber, Red Bull, 2013 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, Formula 1
Mark Webber

At the bottom of the timing screens, Jules Bianchi put Marussia ahead of Caterham. The Frenchman finished almost a second ahead of team-mate Max Chilton, with Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde ending the first session closely matched.

First free practice results - 2013 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix

Pos.DriverTeamTimeLaps
1.deSebastian VettelRed Bull01:27.21116
2.brFelipe MassaFerrari01:27.28917
3.esFernando AlonsoFerrari01:27.54716
4.ukLewis HamiltonMercedes01:27.55218
5.auMark WebberRed Bull01:27.66818
6.fiKimi RäikkönenLotus01:27.87717
7.deNico RosbergMercedes01:28.01317
8.deAdrian SutilForce India01:28.42619
9.ukJenson ButtonMcLaren01:28.44019
10.frRomain GrosjeanLotus01:28.52015
11.mxSergio PerezMcLaren01:28.59719
12.deNico HülkenbergSauber01:28.78619
13.ukPaul di RestaForce India01:28.91018
14.vePastor MaldonadoWilliams01:29.44320
15.fiValtteri BottasWilliams01:29.92819
16.mxEsteban GutiérrezSauber01:30.20317
17.frJean-Eric VergneToro Rosso01:30.72917
18.auDaniel RicciardoToro Rosso01:30.96919
19.frJules BianchiMarussia01:31.26324
20.ukMax ChiltonMarussia01:32.17623
21.frCharles PicCaterham01:32.27421
22.nlGiedo van der GardeCaterham01:32.38818

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